Biofabrication of a glomerular ex vivo model by stepwise mimicking functional core components (C06*)

• Subject Area: Biomaterials
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 326998133

By combining top-down fabrication methods and bottom up strategies, we will generate a 3D glomerular ex vivo model. Therefore, we will study cellular behavior of glomerular endothelial cells and podocytes in a co-culture system on different sides of an artificial basement membrane. Next, we will mimic the glomerular structure by integrating mesangial spheroids into capillary loops consisting of glomerular endothelial cells, artificial basement membrane and podocytes (bioassembly). Thereby, we will study 3D structure, self-assembly, maturation, paracrine cell interaction and generation of extracellular matrix.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 225: From the fundamentals of biofabrication towards functional tissue models
• Applicant Institution: Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg
• Project Heads: Taufiq Ahmad, Ph.D., since 1/2022; Professorin Dr. Janina Müller-Deile, since 1/2022