PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Tissue engineering (TE) aims at the fabrication of ‘artificial’ tissues, that is, engineered constructs involving living cells and performing the native tissue functions, yet outside the body. Engineered tissues offer a multitude of applications, including, e.g., drug testing on human cells, as an alternative to animal models, and as a new tool in personalized medicine. A fundamental problem in TE is the fabrication of tissues with an embedded vasculature, which would allow the circulation of nutrients and sustain long-term viability. Current approaches to vascular TE typically rely on the self-assembly of endothelial cells—initially dispersed randomly in the external matrix—into branched tubular networks. However, such a random process leads to heterogeneous networks with no control over the spatial distribution of the vessels. In the project, we will develop a new method of vascular TE based on the use of granular vascular ‘seeds’, that is cell-coated microbeads, allowing to guide the formation of vascular networks of pre-designed global architecture. To characterize the networks we will develop cutting-edge image analysis tools based, i.a., on machine learning. Finally, we will integrate the networks with a network of microfluidic channels and optimize the system for the most efficient perfusion. We will also co-culture the vessels with cancer cells to create a unique organ-on-chip model of a vascularized tumor for applications, e.g., in drug testing and personalized medicine. For more information about this and other projects, please visit the website of the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences:  https://ichf.edu.pl/en

Key responsibilities include:

• Carrying out experimental work under supervision, maintaining regular research notes, and writing publications. 
• Presenting at group meetings and conferences. 
• Contributing to the efficient functioning of the lab, including necessary administrative and organizational tasks.