Cell interaction in next generation 3D tissue models: Bio-HhOST
Studying cell interaction between integrated living and artificial cells.
Published on 24/06/2024 by Marlene Kopf.
An interdisciplinary consortium to observe cell interaction
The Bio-HhOST project aims to develop bio-hybrid materials integrating living and artificial cells to observe cell interaction, allowing artificial cells to influence the growth, differentiation, and function of living cells. We are working on Bio-HhOST with interdisciplinary team of biologists, engineers, mathematicians, and entrepreneurs.
In the project Bio-HhOST, we aim to create precision-engineered artificial cells made of liquid and lipid bilayers, compartmentalized chemically, and co-located with live cells to induce cell interaction. These artificial cells will have functional metabolisms and respond to environmental chemical stimuli by releasing signaling molecules to regulate neighboring living cells, mimicking complex biological tissues and their cell interaction.
Project goal: understanding cell behavior in realistic 3D tissue models
The overarching goals of the project include the creation of next generation 3D tissues. In these tissues, living cell differentiation is spatially regulated by chemically programmable artificial cells. The 3D tissues are intended to be maintained through cell interaction and dynamic communication between live and artificial cells. In addition, the project partners will develop multi-level models of organoid-synthetic tissue behavior and cell interaction for targeted applications. Another important part of the project deals with the evaluation of drug delivery vectors for next-generation biological therapeutics. Moreover, complex tissues with distinct regions that are not achievable with current organoid protocols will be generated in the scope of the project.
The broader ambitions of Bio-HhOST include understanding cell behavior in realistic 3D tissue models to observe cell interaction, identifying disease treatment targets, and reducing the use of animals in pharmaceutical research. With this innovative approach, the project aims to enhance the understanding and control of physio-chemical cell interaction in tissues, offering significant advancements in biomedical science and therapeutics.
How to use microfluidics for next generation 3D tissue models: our role
The Microfluidics Innovation Center is working on a microfluidic flow control platform for automated cell perfusion for the Bio-Hhost project. The platform enables researchers to regulate cell growth parameters and observe cell interaction without the need for an incubator. The system will allow continuous manipulation under sterile conditions and ongoing monitoring via microscopy without disconnecting the cell culture chip from the perfusion setup.
We have also been involved in other projects related to artificial cells and cell interaction. Find out more about the projects ACDC and Protomet on our website. More information on ACDC can be found on the project’s website.
You need a microfluidics partner for your project on artificial cells as well? Drop us a line! We are interested in joining your consortium and are open to a wide variety of topics and calls, such as the Pathfinder Challenge on Solar-to-X devices dealing with biohybrid systems.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon research and innovation program under HORIZON-EIC-2023-PATHFINDEROPEN-01, grant agreement no. 101130747 (Bio-HhOST).
Start date: 1 February 2024
End date: 31 January 2027
Overall budget: € 1,226,718.83
