Research concerns the development of biomedical microsystems with applications in cell engineering and biotechnology, used to search for new therapies and the screening of new bioactive substances. Development of Lab-on-a-chip systems used for two-dimensional and spatial (spheroids, hydrogels, multilayers) cell cultures and analysis of carcinoma cells. Organ-on-a-chip and Tumor-on-a-chip fabrication as well as the application of polymeric biomaterials to fabricate Lab-on-a-chip systems.
Organ-on-a-chip systems
Development of 2D and 3D models of organs. A large part of the research is focused on the development of Heart-on-a-chip systems for cardiac cell analysis, simulation of disease states, and evaluation of stem cell applications in cardiotherapy as well as the usage of stem cells. Development of advanced vascularized (Multi-) Organ-on-a-chip systems (i.e. heart, pancreas, lung, breast).
Tumor-on-a-chip/ Multi-organ systems
2D and 3D cancer models based on spheroids, co-cellular multilayers (e.g., ovarian, breast, lung, and liver cells) and vascularization. Investigation of newly developed compounds, nanomaterials, and analysis of selected anticancer therapies (e.g., photodynamic therapy) using in vitro cultures performed in microfluidic systems. Development of a new three-dimensional model of gynecological cancers using Lab-on-a-chip systems, useful for studying cancer cell functions and toxicity tests.
Biomaterials
Study of the use of biomaterials such as nanofibers made of polycaprolactone (PCL) and polyurethane (PU) with different properties for cell culture. We studied how changes properties of different cells (heart, stem cells) after the usage of nanofibers materials. Research on the application of polymeric biomaterials to fabricate Lab-on-a-chip systems.