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Bioengineered autonomous cell-biomaterials devices for generating humanised micro-tissues for regenerative medicine

Project description

Advancing biomimetic tissue engineering

Activation of endogenous tissue repair is emerging as an attractive strategy for regenerative medicine. Therefore, advanced tissue engineering solutions that mimic the natural regeneration process and the hierarchical organisation of native tissues are required. Funded by the European Research Council, the ATLAS project aims to develop 3D-engineered tissue solutions that incorporate physical and biochemical cues relevant to stem cell niches, such as cell signalling, extracellular matrix structure, and mechanical signals. Researchers will develop biomaterials based on marine macromolecules that facilitate cell attachment and controlled degradation. Bone will be the first model system, but the methodologies can be applied for the development of a variety of microtissues for disease modelling and drug discovery purposes.

Objective

New generations of devices for tissue engineering (TE) should rationalize better the physical and biochemical cues operating in tandem during native regeneration, in particular at the scale/organizational-level of the stem cell niche. The understanding and the deconstruction of these factors (e.g. multiple cell types exchanging both paracrine and direct signals, structural and chemical arrangement of the extra-cellular matrix, mechanical signals…) should be then incorporated into the design of truly biomimetic biomaterials. ATLAS proposes rather unique toolboxes combining smart biomaterials and cells for the ground-breaking advances of engineering fully time-self-regulated complex 2D and 3D devices, able to adjust the cascade of processes leading to faster high-quality new tissue formation with minimum pre-processing of cells. Versatile biomaterials based on marine-origin macromolecules will be used, namely in the supramolecular assembly of instructive multilayers as nanostratified building-blocks for engineer such structures. The backbone of these biopolymers will be equipped with a variety of (bio)chemical elements permitting: post-processing chemistry and micro-patterning, specific/non-specific cell attachment, and cell-controlled degradation. Aiming at being applied in bone TE, ATLAS will integrate cells from different units of tissue physiology, namely bone and hematopoietic basic elements and consider the interactions between the immune and skeletal systems. These ingredients will permit to architect innovative films with high-level dialogue control with cells, but in particular sophisticated quasi-closed 3D capsules able to compartmentalise such components in a “globe-like” organization, providing local and long-range order for in vitro microtissue development and function. Such hybrid devices could be used in more generalised front-edge applications, including as disease models for drug discovery or test new therapies in vitro.

Host institution

UNIVERSIDADE DE AVEIRO
Net EU contribution
€ 2 438 987,50
Address
CAMPUS UNIVERSITÁRIO DE SANTIAGO
3810-193 Aveiro
Portugal

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Region
Continente Centro (PT) Região de Aveiro
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
€ 2 438 987,50

Beneficiaries (2)