Project description
Emulating viscoelasticity could reveal mechanisms of stem cell differentiation
Many diverse signals modulate the fate and function of cells in living organisms. Mechanical stimuli arising from the surrounding extracellular matrix and neighbouring cells are among these. Most research studying the effects of the mechanical properties of substrates on mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation has used purely elastic materials. Tissues are viscoelastic and respond in a time-dependent way to force. Thus, viscoelasticity may play a critical role in the differentiation of MSCs and hence in the design of regenerative biomaterials. The ERC-funded devise project will test this hypothesis via a new family of cell-laden viscoelastic hydrogels, using Brillouin microscopy to follow the temporal evolution of their local viscoelastic properties.
Objective
Tissues are viscoelastic materials whose mechanical properties evolve with time and yet this important property has not been incorporated in the design of regenerative biomaterials. Mechanical properties of biomaterials are known to influence fundamental cellular process, including cell migration, cell growth and cell differentiation. However, most of the work to understand the mechanical properties of substrates on mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation has made use of pure elastic materials. Cells probe their environment by pulling forces and receiving mechanical feedback through membrane receptors. Since viscoelastic materials respond with a time dependent process to force, we hypothesise that viscoelasticity will play a fundamental role in the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and hence in the design of regenerative biomaterials. This project will develop (a) a new family of viscoelastic hydrogels with controlled properties that include biochemical functionalities (recapitulating the properties of the extracellular matrix in vivo), extreme mechanical properties (i.e. very low/high elastic and viscous properties) and mechanical gradients; and (b) Brillouin microscopy to follow the evolution of the local viscoelastic properties of these cell-laden materials as a function of time. we will use viscoelastic materials to promote bone regeneration in vivo using our critical-sized defect in the mouse radius model and, in a major attempt to move the field forward, we will further develop Brillouin microscopy to monitor the viscoelastic properties of regenerative microenvironments in vivo.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- engineering and technology industrial biotechnology biomaterials
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2021-ADG
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08028 Barcelona
Spain
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