Project description
Growing better tissues for research and medicine
It is a new era for biomedical science. The ERC-funded HYBRIGEL project aims to develop next-generation hydrogels designed to bring laboratory models closer to real human biology. Made from modified gelatin, HYBRIGEL provides a fully defined, tunable environment where cells can grow, interact, and form complex tissues. Its stability and reproducibility make it ideal for large-scale use, while its compatibility with advanced bioprinting opens new possibilities for creating lifelike structures. HYBRIGEL combines scientific precision with industrial scalability. It also promises to accelerate the discovery of new drugs, treatments, and regenerative therapies.
Objective
There is a growing need for reproducible, human-relevant in vitro models to advance biomedical research and drug discovery. Current 3D culture systems often fail to replicate the complexity of native tissues, contributing to poor clinical translation rates and limiting the development of animal-free testing platforms. While organoid technologies and biofabrication methods offer promising solutions, their progress is constrained by the lack of standardized, scalable biomaterials. Widely used matrices such as Matrigel, derived from laminin-rich tumor extracts, suffer from batch variability, undefined composition, and poor compatibility with advanced manufacturing techniques. Building on my ERC-funded VOLUME-BIO project, we have developed HYBRIGEL, a novel, chemically-defined hydrogel designed to address these limitations. HYBRIGEL is based on abundantly available gelatin, modified with reversible supramolecular interactions in addition to covalent crosslinking. This creates a dynamic, cell-responsive environment that promotes tissue remodeling, cell migration, and mechanotransduction—without requiring additional bioactive peptides. HYBRIGEL supports diverse cell types, including organoids, mesenchymal stem cells, vascular cells, and T cells. HYBRIGEL’s enhanced mechanical stability allows for the creation of complex, biomimetic structures through biofabrication techniques such as volumetric bioprinting. Its reproducibility, scalability, and manufacturing efficiency position it as a strong candidate for widespread adoption in both research and pharmaceutical applications. This project will advance HYBRIGEL towards commercial exploitation by expanding its validation across multiple organoid types and demonstrating scalable production processes. A comprehensive market analysis will inform the commercialization strategy, with an envisioned focus on licensing the technology to established industry partners.
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 biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules
- engineering and technology industrial biotechnology biomaterials
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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)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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.
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.
Funding Scheme
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.
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-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-POC
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
3584 CS Utrecht
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.