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Development of a dynamic supramolecular hydrogel from tumor dECM
We are looking for a motivated Master student to join Empa St. Gallen for this master thesis project. The candidate will be part of an exciting and collaborative project between the Particles-Biology Interactions Lab, the Biointerfaces Lab as well as the Biomimetic Membranes and Textiles Lab at Empa.
Keywords: cancer immunotherapy, hydrogels, dECM hydrogel, nanomedicine, 3D soft materials
3D matrices which mimic the tumor microenvironment in vitro represent a powerful tool for modern cancer research. Hydrogels composed of decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) components provide a more nat-ural environment for cells and have been shown to provide biochemical and biophysical cues to promote cell spreading and growth. Recently, hydrogels composed of tumor dECM have emerged as a novel approach to investigate the tumor 3D environment. However, these hydrogels lack the dynamic behavior necessary for cell infiltration, which is essential for studying the invasion of immune cells into the tumor environment.
3D matrices which mimic the tumor microenvironment in vitro represent a powerful tool for modern cancer research. Hydrogels composed of decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) components provide a more nat-ural environment for cells and have been shown to provide biochemical and biophysical cues to promote cell spreading and growth. Recently, hydrogels composed of tumor dECM have emerged as a novel approach to investigate the tumor 3D environment. However, these hydrogels lack the dynamic behavior necessary for cell infiltration, which is essential for studying the invasion of immune cells into the tumor environment.
This project aims to develop a dynamic hydrogel from tumor dECM for the study of cancer immunotherapy. Specifically, the candidate will be involved in
i) isolation of dECM components from patient tissue or cell culture,
ii) synthesis of hydrogel components,
iii) fabrication andcharacterization of the novel hydrogel biomaterial;
iv) in vitro investigation of cell-hydrogel infiltration.
This project aims to develop a dynamic hydrogel from tumor dECM for the study of cancer immunotherapy. Specifically, the candidate will be involved in i) isolation of dECM components from patient tissue or cell culture, ii) synthesis of hydrogel components, iii) fabrication andcharacterization of the novel hydrogel biomaterial; iv) in vitro investigation of cell-hydrogel infiltration.