Publications

@article{Mendonca2023-hi,

title = {OptoRheo: Simultaneous in situ micro-mechanical sensing and  imaging of live 3D biological systems},

author = {Tania Mendonca and Katarzyna Lis-Slimak and Andrew B Matheson and Matthew G Smith and Akosua B Anane-Adjei and Jennifer C Ashworth and Robert Cavanagh and Lynn Paterson and Paul A Dalgarno and Cameron Alexander and Manlio Tassieri and Catherine L R Merry and Amanda J Wright},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-04-01},

urldate = {2023-04-01},

journal = {Commun. Biol.},

volume = {6},

number = {1},

pages = {463},

abstract = {Biomechanical cues from the extracellular matrix (ECM) are 

 essential for directing many cellular processes, from normal 

 development and repair, to disease progression. To better 

 understand cell-matrix interactions, we have developed a new 

 instrument named \'OptoRheo\' that combines light sheet 

 fluorescence microscopy with particle tracking microrheology. 

 OptoRheo lets us image cells in 3D as they proliferate over 

 several days while simultaneously sensing the mechanical 

 properties of the surrounding extracellular and pericellular 

 matrix at a sub-cellular length scale. OptoRheo can be used in 

 two operational modalities (with and without an optical trap) to 

 extend the dynamic range of microrheology measurements. We 

 corroborated this by characterising the ECM surrounding live 

 breast cancer cells in two distinct culture systems, cell 

 clusters in 3D hydrogels and spheroids in suspension culture. 

 This cutting-edge instrument will transform the exploration of 

 drug transport through complex cell culture matrices and optimise 

 the design of the next-generation of disease models.},

keywords = {3D in vitro models, Biomaterials (hydrogels scaffolds), cell matrix interactions, light sheet fluorescence microscopy, microrheology, multiplane microscopy, optical trapping, Optical tweezers, viscoelasticity},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Hirota2021-cc,

title = {Biomaterials for intestinal organoid technology and personalized 

 disease modeling},

author = {Akira Hirota and Shaikha AlMusawi and Abdolrahman S Nateri and Paloma Ord\'{o}\~{n}ez-Mor\'{a}n and Masamichi Imajo},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-09-01},

journal = {Acta Biomater.},

volume = {132},

pages = {272\textendash287},

publisher = {Elsevier BV},

abstract = {Recent advances in intestinal organoid technologies have paved 

 the way for in vitro recapitulation of the homeostatic renewal 

 of adult tissues, tissue or organ morphogenesis during 

 development, and pathogenesis of many disorders. In vitro 

 modelling of individual patient diseases using organoid systems 

 have been considered key in establishing rational design of 

 personalized treatment strategies and in improving therapeutic 

 outcomes. In addition, the transplantation of organoids into 

 diseased tissues represents a novel approach to treat currently 

 incurable diseases. Emerging evidence from intensive studies 

 suggests that organoid systems' development and functional 

 maturation depends on the presence of an extracellular matrix 

 with suitable biophysical properties, where advanced synthetic 

 hydrogels open new avenues for theoretical control of organoid 

 phenotypes and potential applications of organoids in 

 therapeutic purposes. In this review, we discuss the status, 

 applications, challenges and perspectives of intestinal organoid 

 systems emphasising on hydrogels and their properties suitable 

 for intestinal organoid culture. We provide an overview of 

 hydrogels used for intestinal organoid culture and key factors 

 regulating their biological activity. The comparison of 

 different hydrogels would be a theoretical basis for 

 establishing design principles of synthetic niches directing 

 intestinal cell fates and functions. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: 

 Intestinal organoid is an in vitro recapitulation of the gut, 

 which self-organizes from intestinal stem cells and maintains 

 many features of the native tissue. Since the development of 

 this technology, intestinal organoid systems have made 

 significant contribution to rapid progress in intestinal 

 biology. Prevailing methodology for organoid culture, however, 

 depends on animal-derived matrices and suffers from variability 

 and potential risk for contamination of pathogens, limiting 

 their therapeutic application. Synthetic scaffold matrices, 

 hydrogels, might provide solutions to these issues and deepen 

 our understanding on how intestinal cells sense and respond to 

 key biophysical properties of the surrounding matrices. This 

 review provides an overview of developing intestinal models and 

 biomaterials, thereby leading to better understanding of current 

 intestinal organoid systems for both biologists and materials 

 scientists.},

keywords = {3D in vitro models, Biomaterials (hydrogels scaffolds), Intestinal cell, Organoid, Personalized medicine, Regenerative   medicine, Scaffold design},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}