Self-assembling tissue modules
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for in vitro producing a tissue construct which substantially retains its shape after release from a well, the method comprising:
- a) combining living cells to form supracellular aggregates using spatial confinement by condensation of said cells in microwells having an enveloping diameter in the range of 50 μ
m to 500 μ
m into supracellular aggregates;
b) combining two or more of the supracellular aggregates in a mold or biomaterial comprising a well having a geometric shape and having enveloping diameter of at least 100 μ
m;
c) applying conditions that induce self-assembly within the combined supracellular aggregates to obtain the tissue construct;
d) applying conditions that induce tissue morphogenesis in the tissue construct; and
e) releasing the tissue construct from the well,wherein the condensation of step a) allows the tissue construct to maintain at least 90% of its non-spherical shape for 150 hours has after said release of the tissue construct from the well having a geometric shape as compared to the shape of the construct while still within the well having geometric shape.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to a new approach to constructing cellular aggregates in vitro and their use in methods for producing 3D-tissue constructs in a modular way.
In particular, the invention is directed to a method for in vitro producing a tissue construct comprising:
- a) combining living cells to form supracellular aggregates using spatial confinement;
- b) combining two or more of the supracellular aggregates in a mold or on a biomaterial;
- c) applying conditions that induce self-assembly within the combined supracellular aggregates to obtain the tissue construct; and
- d) applying conditions that induce tissue morphogenesis in the tissue construct.
8 Citations
27 Claims
-
1. A method for in vitro producing a tissue construct which substantially retains its shape after release from a well, the method comprising:
-
a) combining living cells to form supracellular aggregates using spatial confinement by condensation of said cells in microwells having an enveloping diameter in the range of 50 μ
m to 500 μ
m into supracellular aggregates;b) combining two or more of the supracellular aggregates in a mold or biomaterial comprising a well having a geometric shape and having enveloping diameter of at least 100 μ
m;c) applying conditions that induce self-assembly within the combined supracellular aggregates to obtain the tissue construct; d) applying conditions that induce tissue morphogenesis in the tissue construct; and e) releasing the tissue construct from the well, wherein the condensation of step a) allows the tissue construct to maintain at least 90% of its non-spherical shape for 150 hours has after said release of the tissue construct from the well having a geometric shape as compared to the shape of the construct while still within the well having geometric shape. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
Specification