Seminar LMGP - 08/10/2019 - Julien GAUTROT

Professor   Julien GAUTROT   -   Queen Mary University of London
​​​​​​​ABSTRACT. We are fascinated by the ability to modulate cell phenotype and tissue formation in vitro using engineered microenvironments. This requires a multiscale approach: at the nano- to micro-scale, topography, geometry and mechanics contribute to regulate cell adhesion, which in turn modulates cell phenotype; at the micro- to meso-scale, microfabrication and 3D printing techniques allow the structuring of 3D cell culture systems that can self-organise into tissue-like structures. Our group has developed a number of tools that allow the structuring of biointerfaces at different scales. Polymer brushes allow the patterning of cell adhesions from the nano- to micro-scale and the regulation of cell phenotype, but also multi-cellular assembly. We have also recently developed self-assembled protein nanosheets that control interfacial mechanics and the culture of cells at liquid interfaces. This opens up exciting opportunities for the design of completely new cell culture systems based on emulsions, for the scale up of stem cell technologies. Finally, we combine hydrogel design, microfabrication and 3D printing for the development of tissue culture models, displaying controlled architecture and function. Overall, our research is guided by a key question: what is the minimum set of rules that allow to guide cell phenotype and recreate tissue function?
For further reading, please see:
http://biointerfaces.qmul.ac.uk/