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Recently, researchers have been attempting to control pluripotent stem cell fate or generate self-organized tissues from stem cells. Advances in bioengineering enable generation of organotypic structures, which capture the cellular components, spatial cell organization and even some functions of tissues or organs in development. However, only a few engineering tools have been utilized to regulate the formation and organization of spatially complex tissues derived from stem cells. Here, we provide a review of recent progress in the culture of organotypic structures in vitro , focusing on how microengineering approaches including geometric confinement, extracellular matrix (ECM) property modulation, spatially controlled biochemical factors, and external forces, can be utilized to generate organotypic structures. Moreover, we will discuss potential technologies that can be applied to further control both soluble and insoluble factors spatiotemporally in vitro . In summary, advanced engineered approaches have a great promise in generating miniaturized tissues and organs in a reproducible fashion, facilitating the cellular and molecular understanding of embryogenesis and morphogenesis processes.
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A mechanistic model of the organization of cell shapes in epithelial tissues
The organization of cells within tissues plays a vital role in various biological processes, including development and morphogenesis. As a result, understanding how cells self-organize in tissues has been an active area of research. In our study, we explore a mechanistic model of cellular organization that represents cells as force dipoles that interact with each other via the tissue, which we model as an elastic medium. By conducting numerical simulations using this model, we are able to observe organizational features that are consistent with those obtained from vertex model simulations. This approach provides valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms that govern cellular organization within tissues, which can help us better understand the processes involved in development and disease.
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- PAR ID:
- 10503786
- Publisher / Repository:
- Frontiers Media SA
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Frontiers in Soft Matter
- Volume:
- 3
- ISSN:
- 2813-0499
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.3389/frsfm.2023.1214159
