The Tissue Engineering Laboratory brings together expertise in cellular biology and engineering to design innovative in vitro systems that enable the accurate acquisition of biological data and the detailed evaluation of cellular responses.
Its goal is to develop complex human biological models and advanced measurement tools to evaluate the biocompatibility, toxicity, and functionality of materials, molecules, and medical devices, as well as to support the development of organ-on-chip systems.
Objectives
- Develop in vitro biological models and technical tools to assess the functional and toxicological effects of substances, materials, and devices on the brain and other organs.
- Design advanced systems that replicate human physiology while reducing or replacing the use of laboratory animals (3R principle).
- Combine biology and engineering to develop biochips, sensors, and integrated microfluidic systems.
- Support integrated approaches for drug discovery, disease modeling, and biocompatibility testing.
Expertise
- Reprogrammed stem cells (iPSCs) for the creation of complex human models, following the 3R principle. Long-term culture, exposure, and recording: maintenance of living tissues for several months to study chronic effects of compounds or devices.
- 3D human cellular models: neurospheres, organoids, «mini-brains», blood–brain barrier (BBB), neurovascular units, lung and intestinal barriers, co-cultures.
- Measurement methods:
- Non-invasive: live imaging, bio-impedance, electrophysiology, biomarker analysis.
- Endpoint: immunolabeling, gene expression, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tissue clearing.
- Organ-on-chip and technical development:
- Design and fabrication of microelectrode arrays to record electrical activity of tissues (e.g., mini-brains).
- Design and rapid prototyping: CAD, 3D printing, CNC machining, laser cutting.
- Development of biochips, sensors, and integrated microfluidic systems.
- Autonomous electrophysiology platforms with integrated perfusion for real-time measurements under physiologically relevant conditions.
- In vitro impedance spectroscopy for studying biological barriers.
Main applications
- Toxicity and biocompatibility testing (viability, cytotoxicity, neurotoxicity, neuroinflammation, and gene expression).
- Studies of biological barrier permeability.
- Drug discovery and disease modeling.
