Organoid Development by Design
Event details
| Date | 04.12.2017 |
| Hour | 12:15 › 13:15 |
| Speaker | Prof. Matthias Lutolf, Institute of Bioengineering, EPFL |
| Location | |
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
Abstract :
Over the past years, organoids have stepped into the limelight as unique in vitro models for studying organ development, function and disease, owing to the previously unmatched fidelity with which they approximate real organs. Organoids form through poorly understood morphogenetic processes in which initially homogeneous aggregates of stem cells spontaneously self-organize within three-dimensional extracellular matrices (ECM). Yet, the absence of any predefined patterning influences such as morphogen gradients or mechanical cues results in an extensive heterogeneity. Moreover, the current mismatch in shape, size and lifespan between native organs and their in vitro counterparts severely hinders their applicability. In this seminar, I will discuss some of our ongoing efforts in developing programmable organoids that we assemble by combining bioengineering approaches with insights from developmental biology. Specifically, using intestinal organoids (‘mini-guts’) as a model system, I will, for example, show how we can overcome the stochasticity in self-organization by controlling cell fate decisions through localized changes in ECM mechanics. I will also demonstrate how tissue shape per se confers robustness to organoid development, enabling for the first time to build macroscopic and openly accessible intestinal epithelia having crypt-like domains at predetermined positions. The convergence of bioengineering and cellular self-organization may be broadly applicable to attain more physiological organoid sizes, shapes and function.
Bio:
Education/Training:
Dipl. Ing. in Materials Science, ETH Zurich (1999)
Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich (2003)
Postdoctoral, Stanford University, USA (2004-2006)
Positions:
Tenure track Assistant Professor, Institute of Bioengineering, EPFL (2007 - 2013)
Associate Professor, Institute of Bioengineering, EPFL (2014 - present)
Director, Institute of Bioengineering, EPFL (2014 - present)
Over the past years, organoids have stepped into the limelight as unique in vitro models for studying organ development, function and disease, owing to the previously unmatched fidelity with which they approximate real organs. Organoids form through poorly understood morphogenetic processes in which initially homogeneous aggregates of stem cells spontaneously self-organize within three-dimensional extracellular matrices (ECM). Yet, the absence of any predefined patterning influences such as morphogen gradients or mechanical cues results in an extensive heterogeneity. Moreover, the current mismatch in shape, size and lifespan between native organs and their in vitro counterparts severely hinders their applicability. In this seminar, I will discuss some of our ongoing efforts in developing programmable organoids that we assemble by combining bioengineering approaches with insights from developmental biology. Specifically, using intestinal organoids (‘mini-guts’) as a model system, I will, for example, show how we can overcome the stochasticity in self-organization by controlling cell fate decisions through localized changes in ECM mechanics. I will also demonstrate how tissue shape per se confers robustness to organoid development, enabling for the first time to build macroscopic and openly accessible intestinal epithelia having crypt-like domains at predetermined positions. The convergence of bioengineering and cellular self-organization may be broadly applicable to attain more physiological organoid sizes, shapes and function.
Bio:
Education/Training:
Dipl. Ing. in Materials Science, ETH Zurich (1999)
Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich (2003)
Postdoctoral, Stanford University, USA (2004-2006)
Positions:
Tenure track Assistant Professor, Institute of Bioengineering, EPFL (2007 - 2013)
Associate Professor, Institute of Bioengineering, EPFL (2014 - present)
Director, Institute of Bioengineering, EPFL (2014 - present)
Practical information
- Informed public
- Free
Organizer
- School of Life Sciences (SV), Dean's Office
Contact
- Dr H. Hirling / M. Mary