Visualization of cell behavior and tissue development in innovative protein-engineered biomaterials

Purpose and goal

CARS microscopy was introduced to study how the microenvironment controls stem cell differentiation in tissue-mimicking scaffolds with biosynthesized elastin-like polypeptides (ELP). Three Chalmers-Stanford collaborative projects have been established and will proceed. The interest in CARS microscopy has resulted in 3 research visits by Stanford students. Participation in PhD courses, coaching courses, seminars and journal clubs at Stanford has allowed Enejder to establish new competences/research, supported by VR, Åforsk and EU. Enejder was promoted to Bitr. Prof.

Results and expected effects

The collaboration gave new insights in how protein sequence design and assembly conditions can be used to form micro-structures in the ELP. They open up for new functionalities; by allocating growth factors/drugs to the polypeptide micro-structures, release rates can be controlled by smart design of the ELP micro-structure. The qualification at Stanford has enabled and inspired to a new line of research at Chalmers using the materials as drug screening assays for metabolic diseases and cancer. The collaboration with Stanford will continue.

Approach and implementation

Following a first CARS study on materials prepared at Stanford, a lab was established at Chalmers for engineering tissue-mimicking proteins. While protocols are developed at Stanford, increasingly more ELP is synthesized at Chalmers. Students have been trained by Stanford students during research visits. All cell culturing is done at Chalmers, allowing for live cell microscopy: human adipose-derived stem cells and breast cancer cells. The ELP lab at Chalmers opens up for new research, but also creates an awareness for the challenges and a deep respect for Heilshorn´s competences.