The Micro-Nano Innovation Lab ("mini lab") @Hamlyn investigates and utilises light-matter interactions to develop new intelligent sensing and robotic strategies in micro/nano scales.

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Research lab info

What we do

The Micro-Nano Innovation Lab ("mini lab") @Hamlyn investigates and utilises light-matter interactions to develop new intelligent sensing and robotic strategies in micro/nano scales. The research involves designing and fabricating micro/nanostructures for diagnostics (e.g. infections, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases) and microscopic therapies/surgeries (e.g. localised drug delivery, novel minimally invasive treatment).

Why it is important?

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How can it benefit patients?

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Citation

BibTex format

@article{Callens:2024:10.1302/1358-992x.2024.1.065,
author = {Callens, SJP and Burdis, R and Cihova, M and Kim, JA and Lau, QY and Stevens, MM},
doi = {10.1302/1358-992x.2024.1.065},
journal = {Orthopaedic Proceedings},
pages = {65--65},
title = {GEOMETRIC CONTROL OF BONE TISSUE GROWTH AND ORGANIZATION},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1302/1358-992x.2024.1.065},
volume = {106-B},
year = {2024}
}

RIS format (EndNote, RefMan)

TY  - JOUR
AB - <jats:p>Cells typically respond to a variety of geometrical cues in their environment, ranging from nanoscale surface topography to mesoscale surface curvature. The ability to control cellular organisation and fate by engineering the shape of the extracellular milieu offers exciting opportunities within tissue engineering. Despite great progress, however, many questions regarding geometry-driven tissue growth remain unanswered.</jats:p><jats:p>Here, we combine mathematical surface design, high-resolution microfabrication, in vitro cell culture, and image-based characterization to study spatiotemporal cell patterning and bone tissue formation in geometrically complex environments. Using concepts from differential geometry, we rationally designed a library of complex mesostructured substrates (10<jats:sup>1</jats:sup>-10<jats:sup>3</jats:sup> µm). These substrates were accurately fabricated using a combination of two-photon polymerisation and replica moulding, followed by surface functionalisation. Subsequently, different cell types (preosteoblasts, fibroblasts, mesenchymal stromal cells) were cultured on the substrates for varying times and under varying osteogenic conditions. Using imaging-based methods, such as fluorescent confocal microscopy and second harmonic generation imaging, as well as quantitative image processing, we were able to study early-stage spatiotemporal cell patterning and late-stage extracellular matrix organisation. Our results demonstrate clear geometry-dependent cell patterning, with cells generally avoiding convex regions in favour of concave domains. Moreover, the formation of multicellular bridges and collective curvature-dependent cell orientation could be observed. At longer time points, we found clear and robust geometry-driven orientation of the collagenous extracellular matrix, which became apparent with second harmonic generation imaging after ∼2 weeks of culture.</jats:p><j
AU - Callens,SJP
AU - Burdis,R
AU - Cihova,M
AU - Kim,JA
AU - Lau,QY
AU - Stevens,MM
DO - 10.1302/1358-992x.2024.1.065
EP - 65
PY - 2024///
SN - 1358-992X
SP - 65
TI - GEOMETRIC CONTROL OF BONE TISSUE GROWTH AND ORGANIZATION
T2 - Orthopaedic Proceedings
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1302/1358-992x.2024.1.065
VL - 106-B
ER -