Analyses in a 3-Dimensional Environment

	Animal cells on micro-electrode chip, biocompatibility test

The objective of this intersection project is the development of artificial 3-dimensional (3D) structures with functionalized surfaces for the study and establishment of heterogeneous cellular systems. The 3D systems will be composed by nanostructured scaffolds arranged in a 3D platform for cell analysis.

 

The 3D platforms for studying cancer cells in a defined 3D environment will be used as a model for the migration, the dedifferentiation of tumor cells and the development of heterogeneous tumor cell populations under defined conditions. The non linear development of tumor cell subtypes can be studied in great detail to establish a new test system for cancer drugs and combinations of cancer drugs addressing heterogeneous therapy-resistant tumors.

Solving Previously Unadressable Problems

The 3D platforms will for the first time establish a direct access to heterogeneous tumor systems and overcome the restrictions of studying clonal cell systems in vitro and in animal models. The system will open application areas using 3D cell systems with high positive biomedical impact as stem cell differentiation, dedifferentiation of adult stem cells, tissue engineering and the design of biocompatible implants. Nanostructured implantable 3D scaffolds are expected to be used for the induction of in vivo tissue regeneration. The 3D platforms developed within this project will solve previously unaddressable problems; the behaviour of heterogeneous cell populations in tumors and 3D structures involved in stem cell differentiation will become open to direct study.

 

The characterization of heterogeneous tumor cell systems will generate new tools for the development of tumor therapeutics and reveal new parameters for tumor diagnostics and prognosis.