PhD Discussions Session

Mechanical characterization of murine pluripotency dissolution Srivatsava Viswanadha Venkata Naga Sai, Cellular and Molecular Mechanobiology Group Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells (mESCs) can be maintained in ground/naïve state when grown in a defined N2B27 media with the supplementation of two inhibitors (2i) for MEK/Erk and GSK3β. Upon 2i withdrawal, mESCs exit naïve state and become functionally ... Read more

Novel Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) applications in the clinical field Marc Azagra, Molecular Imaging for Precision Medicine Group When nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was described more than half a century ago it appeared to be a curiosity of the quantum world. Since then NMR spectroscopy has become an essential tool not only for chemists, but also ... Read more

Role of Eph/Ephrin in the Compartmentalization of the Intestinal Stem Cell Niche Gerardo Ceada Torres, Integrative cell and tissue dynamics Group The intestinal epithelium is a monolayer of cells that covers the inner surface of the gut. It protects against pathogens, absorbs nutrients, and secretes hormones and other molecules. This monolayer is folded into finger-like ... Read more

Design and characterization of bifunctional hydrophilic Janus micelles José Muñoz-López, Molecular Bionics Group Janus micelles are featured by their biphasic geometry of heterogeneous composition and distinctive properties in the core and corona. Such anisotropic design has attracted much attention from the scientific community due to the versatility of chemistries employed for generating Janus’ morphologies and their ... Read more

Mimicking Sarcolemmal Damage In vitro: A 3D Skeletal Muscle Model for Drug Testing in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Ainoa Tejedera Villafranca, Biosensors for bioengineering group Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most prevalent neuromuscular disease diagnosed in childhood. It is a progressive and wasting disease, characterized by a degeneration of skeletal and cardiac muscles caused by ... Read more

Multiscale buckling of epithelial shells Thomas Wilson, Integrative Cell and Tissue Dynamics group Numerous natural and engineered structures are shaped as thin curved shells. When subjected to excessive compressive loading, these shells undergo buckling instabilities that result in wrinkling patterns with complex dynamics. Epithelial tissues such as those enclosing embryos or lining glandular organs are ... Read more

Integrating phenotypic targeting in physiologically-based pharmacokinetics modeling. Zhendong Xie, Molecular Bionics group Selective drugging, also known as the "magic bullet," is the concept that drugs can target specific molecules, cells, or targets while minimising interactions with other parts of the body. Nanoparticles (NPs) with functioned ligands target cells with a certain range of receptors due ... Read more

3D bioengineered liver for the study of acute and chronic hepatic damage Ainhoa Ferret, Biosensors for bioengineering group The liver, a vital organ, faces acute and chronic insults that disrupt its normal function. Understanding the mechanisms underlying acute and chronic liver damage is crucial for developing effective treatments. Traditional liver models face several limitations. As ... Read more

Molecular imaging to unveil the pathophysiology of metabolic associated fatty liver disease Alba Herrero, Molecular Imaging for Precision Medicine group Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), a progressive liver condition rapidly rising to lead to chronic liver disease worldwide, manifests as metabolic dysregulation, leading to steatosis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis if left untreated. Beyond the liver, it ... Read more

Cell-Derived Extracellular Matrices for 3D in vitro Tumor Models Gülsun Bagci, Biomaterials for Regenerative Therapies Group Decellularized Extracellular matrices are new scaffolds for bioengineering of 3D tumor-ECM in vitro models. The tunable composition, properties, and structure of Cell-derived Matrices (CDMs) make them versatile and easy to use by using desired cell types. Moreover, deposition of ... Read more