Why and how we do what we do
With our research on pediatric brain diseases – neurodevelopmental disorders and brain tumors – we aim to contribute to a better understanding of disease mechanisms and to the translation of this knowledge into clinical applications.
Our research on liver tissue models aims to generate functional human liver tissue for two complementary purposes: as a physiologically relevant human disease model and as a therapeutic substitute to replace lost or impaired liver tissue.
These aims shape our tissue-engineering strategy: we use small, three-dimensional multicellular cultures—typically spheroidal or elongated in shape—both as human tissue models and as modular building blocks for assembling centimeter-scale human tissues. To enhance the spatial organization, stability and oxygen-supply of engineered constructs, we pursue three complementary approaches: harnessing cellular self-organization, integrating synthetic polymer materials in biohybrid designs, and directing cellular patterning through defined morphogen gradients.
Many of our research projects require a multidisciplinary approach and we enjoy working together with other teams.
