L2M – Biomimetic biointerfaces for high throughput in vitro modeling of gut-pathogen interactions

The recognition of gut microbiota, its interplay with human tissues and cells, and the signaling pathways they could generate in concrete with together, specially once imposed to gastrointestinal medications, encouraged researchers designing and establishing bioengineered platforms, enable to serve as a discovery tool for developing of microbiome-related therapeutics, monitoring medications combating detrimental effects of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) pathogenic species infections or carcinogens on human epithelial cells, or checking probiotics and nutraceuticals benefiting human health. We are introducing a bio-inspired intestinal villus mimicking structure composed of natural extracellular matrix, that primarily adheres human intestinal epithelial cells without any significant cytotoxicity, stimulating tight epithelium formation, cell polarization, and differentiation into strains capable to accumulate dense mucosal barrier potentially functioning as a site for microbial colonization, controlling their invasion into underlaying intestinal cells and verotoxin generation. The established balanced microenvironment for cell-bacteria co-culture brings us the opportunity to monitor the crosstalk among these species in details. In light of this innovative bioengineered material mimicking human body conditions and physiology, the need for in vivo testing for pre-clinical assessments of new drugs and medications is minimized. Traditional methods based on in vivo models, whose translatability to human’s body condition is frequently challenged, are time-consuming and often require skills in animal surgery. The outcomes of this innovation facilitate the rapid screening of gastrointestinal medications, consequently can significantly reduce the burden on the Canadian and global healthcare systems.

Faculty Supervisor:

Amir Sanati Nezhad

Student:

Partner:

Edmonton Unlimited

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services; Public administration

University:

University of Calgary

Program: