Our research has evolved at the interface between Tissue Engineering and Cell Biology. By applying tissue engineering principles to cancer research, we pioneer the new discipline of Tumour Tissue Engineering.
We use and develop different biomaterials to produce modular tissue culture platforms. For example, gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) is a covalently photo-crosslinked hydrogel and based on the functionalisation of gelatin with methacrylamide. GelMA’s key advantages are its biodegradability, control over its composition and biomechanical properties to replicate tissue-like features. We also work with polyethylene glycol and peptide-protein co-assembling matrices.
We are interested in understanding the extracellular and cellular communication in diseases like cancer and therapy responses by applying different biomaterials and tissue engineering principles. We are developing new technologies for modelling the human disease in the laboratory. To find better therapies, we design patient-specific models that mimic the composition and biomechanics of tumour tissues and target interactions between cells.
Daniela Lössner
loessner@ipfdd.de
We use and fabricate tissue-engineered constructs that integrate extracellular matrix, molecular and biomechanical properties to grow functional tissues. For example, polycaprolactone (PCL) is used for melt electrospinning writing, a 3D printing technique, to generate scaffolds that allow the attachment of tissue-specific cell types. These PCL scaffolds provide a fibrous network and structural support for cell infiltration to mimic characteristic parameters of tissue-like features.
In an interdisciplinary setting, we design 3D approaches that deconstruct the native tissue composition and biomechanical properties of different tumour types to provide clinically predictive platforms and to test novel treatments. Therefore, we study the tumour biology and treatment responses of primary tumours, such as pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, neuroblastoma and osteosarcoma, as well as metastases, including peritoneal, prostate and breast cancer-induced metastasis.