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Development of a Heterocellular Human Bone Organoid for Precision Medicine and Treatment
Our goal is to establish a heterocellular 3D printed bone organoid model comprising all major bone cell types (osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteoclasts) to recapitulate bone remodeling units in an in vitro system. The organoids will be produced with the human cells, as they could represent human pathophysiology better than animal models, and eventually could replace them. These in vitro models could be used in the advancement of next-generation personalised treatment strategies. Our tools are different kinds of 3D bioprinting platforms, bio-ink formulations, hydrogels, mol-bioassays, and time-lapsed image processing of micro-CT scans.
Keywords: 3D printing, bone organoids, co-culture, bioreactor, hydrogels, drug testing
Project 1 – Establishing a 3D In Vitro Co-culture of Osteoclasts and Osteoblasts
Bone cells such as osteoclasts, and osteoblasts have significant roles in bone remodeling. So far in our models, we have established long-term culture of osteoblasts and osteocytes. However, bone-resorbing cells such as osteoclasts were not incorporated into the system. In this project, human osteoclast precursors will be introduced, and functional and molecular biology assays will be established along with the time-lapsed microCT scans. Furthermore, the interplay of cell-mediated resorption and formation of extracellular matrix will be evaluated with time-lapsed CT scans and molecular biology assays. This project can be tailored to suit a Bachelor’s Thesis, semester Project or research internship. The students will receive hands-on experience in handling primary cells, bioreactors, 3D printing and conducting molecular biology assays.
Project 2 – Optimization of Fibrin as A Bioink for 3D Bioprinting
Fibrin-based bioink formulations have garnered research interest due to their excellent biological properties. It is widely used in clinics as a hemostatic agent and surgical sealant. Fibrin and fibrinogen-based proteins are known to have diverse roles in different stages of tissue repair such as cell adhesion, inflammation, angiogenesis, and remodeling. The goal of this project is to develop a 3D printable bio-ink formulation of fibrin and mechanical properties will be tailored to support human mesenchymal stem cell differentiation. This project can be tailored to suit a Masters’ Thesis, Semester Project or Research Internship. The students will receive hands-on experience in primary cell cultivation, inkjet printing, extrusion 3D printing and molecular biology assays.
Project 1 – Establishing a 3D In Vitro Co-culture of Osteoclasts and Osteoblasts
Bone cells such as osteoclasts, and osteoblasts have significant roles in bone remodeling. So far in our models, we have established long-term culture of osteoblasts and osteocytes. However, bone-resorbing cells such as osteoclasts were not incorporated into the system. In this project, human osteoclast precursors will be introduced, and functional and molecular biology assays will be established along with the time-lapsed microCT scans. Furthermore, the interplay of cell-mediated resorption and formation of extracellular matrix will be evaluated with time-lapsed CT scans and molecular biology assays. This project can be tailored to suit a Bachelor’s Thesis, semester Project or research internship. The students will receive hands-on experience in handling primary cells, bioreactors, 3D printing and conducting molecular biology assays.
Project 2 – Optimization of Fibrin as A Bioink for 3D Bioprinting
Fibrin-based bioink formulations have garnered research interest due to their excellent biological properties. It is widely used in clinics as a hemostatic agent and surgical sealant. Fibrin and fibrinogen-based proteins are known to have diverse roles in different stages of tissue repair such as cell adhesion, inflammation, angiogenesis, and remodeling. The goal of this project is to develop a 3D printable bio-ink formulation of fibrin and mechanical properties will be tailored to support human mesenchymal stem cell differentiation. This project can be tailored to suit a Masters’ Thesis, Semester Project or Research Internship. The students will receive hands-on experience in primary cell cultivation, inkjet printing, extrusion 3D printing and molecular biology assays.
The projects are multidisciplinary, and students from biology, bioengineering and mechanical engineering backgrounds are welcome. The project goals could be tailored to the student’s interests, expertise, and project requirements.
The projects are multidisciplinary, and students from biology, bioengineering and mechanical engineering backgrounds are welcome. The project goals could be tailored to the student’s interests, expertise, and project requirements.
Dr Chris Steffi (e-mail: chris.steffi@hest.ethz.ch), Postdoc fellow in the Micro-Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials team, Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics, ETH Zurich
Dr Chris Steffi (e-mail: chris.steffi@hest.ethz.ch), Postdoc fellow in the Micro-Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials team, Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics, ETH Zurich
