Tissue Engineering
The research group is involved in the field of regenerative medicine developing approaches that concern genetic correction or modulation of epigenetic factors supported by the most recent advances in cell therapy. To date, the progresses offered by induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, in the field of regenerative medicine, have not been able to fully express their potential due to limited technologies bearing them. Our strategic approach exploits the capability of these cells to generate in vitro human tissues belonging to specific individuals, for advanced investigations in the personalized medicine field, sustaining them with innovative technologies, such as biomaterials and 3D bio-printing. The scientific commitment benefits of cutting-edge technologies in the bio-medical and personalized medicine field to improve the knowledge of cardio/muscular and neurodegenerative pathologies, with the aim of developing a standardized platform for the in-depth study of patient-specific organ models.
RESEARCH TOPICS
The ambition of the laboratory is to act as accelerator of practical knowledge to guarantee an early diagnosis and to support the advanced treatment of diseases that, until now, included invasive investigations on patients.
Genetic disorders, such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, present similarities related to the ability of the immune system cells in conditioning the extracellular matrix in response to the request of pathophysiological remodelling.
Recently, we have developed an innovative approach employing a bio-ink, derived from decellularized “sick” organs, to recapitulate the endogenous substrate typical of pathological tissues, in which different cell lines derived from iPSC can be bio-printed to characterize their behaviour and the intercellular relationships.
STAFF
Roberto Rizzi
Ricercatore