A major challenge in regenerative medicine is to create phenotypic functioning tissues by controlling cell behaviour. We particularly lack the ability to form complex tissues composed of multiple cell types and with three-dimensional architecture, which are defining features of most tissues. We know that cells are conferred with the ability to choreograph their own development through self-organization. I hypothesize that if we actively promote this intrinsic capacity with new cell culture platforms, we can orchestrate self-organization to make complex tissues, organs, and even organisms with a high degree of reproducibility and in large numbers.
Society stands to benefit greatly from regenerative medicine, which is a multidisciplinary field that combines biology, engineering and medicine to replace or regenerate organs and tissues. In particular, those suffering from chronic diseases may be presented with a cure for their condition in the form of a new organ or tissue. In ORCHESTRATE, we are developing technology and know-how to advance this field.
This proposal begins with the design and development of new cell culture platforms. Building upon our proprietary fabrication and microfluidic technology, we will create advanced platforms that will control how cells aggregate and enable the application of biomolecules with spatial and temporal resolution to orchestrate self-organization. This technology will be transferred into three projects focussing on different organs or organisms. For each, we need to find the right conditions to enrich for desired phenotypes and functions, which means that we need quantitative read-outs in the form of single cell information and imaging technology.
