Graduate Seminar Series: Cell and Tissue Stream – Dana Brinson

Graduate Seminar Series: Cell and Tissue Stream
Graduate Seminar Series for the Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME). This day is for cell and tissue stream presenters.
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Presentation Title: A culture platform with alveolar geometry for induced pluripotent stem cell-derived distal lung organoids
Abstract: Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived distal lung organoids must be improved to better recapitulate the adult alveolar epithelium. Existing organoids do not contain all relevant cell types and the cells have fetal maturity. IPSCs are an ideal source of cells for patient-specific in vitro models, cell therapy, and tissue engineering. Traditionally, organoids are grown embedded in droplets of Matrigel®. This does not provide mechanical cues similar to the native lung. The physical microenvironment plays an important role in alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) differentiation. Our lab has designed PDMS substrates with hemispheres that model the alveoli. We have previously characterized growth of A549 cells or primary mouse AECs on the substrates. Primary AECs are typically grown on flat culture dishes, and within one week alveolar type two (AT2) cells lose their phenotype and differentiate into type one (AT1) cells. We found that the biomimetic substrate maintained a more stable balance of AT1 and AT2 cells compared to flat substrates. The next step is to study iPSC-derived lung progenitor cell differentiation first on the dimpled substrates and then in more complex alveolar geometry. 3D printing will generate a complex 3D mold. Differentiation will be compared amongst cells grown on the geometries, flat substrates, or in traditional Matrigel® droplets. Transcriptomics and epigenomics will be used to elucidate heterogeneity in expression of genes associated with differentiation to AT1 and AT2 cells. Characterizing cells on the biomimetic substrates will help uncover whether geometric cues play a role in aiding appropriate differentiation of AECs.
Supervisor Name: Dr. Thomas Waddell and Dr. Golnaz Karoubi
Year of Study: 2
Program of Study: MASc
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89610372821?pwd=azd4SCtYVWtreVovaGNPV1c2NGY2Zz09
Meeting ID: 896 1037 2821
Password: 483329
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