Mechanobiology of differentiation and invasion in 3D cell assemblies

The goal of this project area is to elucidate the mechanobiological mechanisms underlying the formation and fate of spherical cell assemblies. We study these mechanisms in the following paradigms:: transition of 2D iPSC colonies into 3D self-organized embryoid bodies, breast tissue homeostasis and tumor invasion under external shear stress, and human embryo implantation. The observations are modeled to define the fundamental framework for the interactions and hierarchical organization of epithelial cells within tissues in mechanoresponses.
Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Division of Stem Cell Biology
Mechanostimulation to direct differentiation of iPSCs and iPSC-derived embryoid bodies.
Wolfgang Wagner
Principal Investigator
Vera Lisa Nischalke
Associated Doctoral Researcher
Self detachment and differentiation of embryoid bodies
Syeda Inaas
Doctoral Researcher
Mechanobiology of embryoid bodies
Project overview. We investigate self-organization of aggregates of iPSCs – so called embryoid bodies – and the impact of hydrogels and mechanical stimulation on their differentiation. (A) Phase contrast images of a self-detaching iPSC colony from vitronectin micro-contact printed substrates. (B) DNA methylation biomarkers to quantify differentiation toward endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm. (C) Immunofluorescence images of iPSC differentiation in the different hydrogels. IPSCs are stained for DAPI and Phalloidin488 and the lineage specific markers GATA6 (endoderm), Brachyury (mesoderm), and PAX6 (ectoderm).