Engineering Microtissues for Development and Disease

Microscale biomimetic tissue models can provide deep insights into mechanisms of tissue development and diseases. Our innovative in vitro models allow scientisists to look into the left-right (LR) asymmetry at a cellular level, which is also known as handedness or chirality (click here for a TED-Ed video lectured by Dr. Leo Wan). Cell chirality is a fundamental and ubiquitous characteristic inherent to a broad spectrum of living organisms: manifestations ranging from the twining of climbing plant vines to the helices of snail and conch shell. The formation and positioning of the heart and other organs are quintessential examples of bilateral asymmetry in the human body. We are developing novel in vitro modalities for studying cellular LR asymmetry and chiral morphogenesis, based upon the orientation, morphology and directional migration of cells cultured on micro-patterns. This intuitive system provides significant advantages including high-throughput and excellent imaging-compatibility. We are utilizing the assets of our micro-scale systems to identity the molecular mechanisms associated with the establishment of left-right asymmetry. Our in vitro studies are expanding into three dimensional systems catalyzing a deeper understanding of the complexity underlying in vivo tissue morphogenesis in early development as well as the progression of disease.