Dynamic biomaterials to study, manipulate and screen cell-matrix interactions

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Biomaterials based strategies have the potential to improve human health by understanding and controlling the way cells behave with their environment, which will ultimately lead to the development of materials for the treatment of diseases. Cells are surround by a dynamic four-dimensional extracellular matrix (ECM) composed of chemical and mechanical signals in the form of macromolecules that change in space and time. Currently, we rely on outdated and inefficient tools to study the cell-material interfaces that exists in the ECM. Therefore, we need to build materials where properties can be easily tailored and changed over time to probe interactions at the cell-material interface. There is a great opportunity for material scientists and biologists to work together to better understand the importance of the cellular environment and better elucidate how, when and why materials influence cellular behaviours. Currently, we lack the tools necessary to study and mimic the dynamic cell-material interface in 3D cell cultures where chemical properties vary over time; and the ability to efficiently and rapidly screen the numerous cell-material interactions that exist in vivo. Previous work has shown it is possible to create three-dimensional patterns of biomolecules within hydrogels to mimic the natural environment. These advances were substantial but still lack the ability to: (a) mimic the time-dependent nature of the environment, (b) simultaneously study a large variety of conditions. Key objectives of my research program during the next 5 years are: (1) develop hydrogels where chemical properties are tuned in space and time to study and control the cell-material interface, including the demonstration of reversible cell adhesion; and (2) develop hydrogel systems to rapidly screen the effects of different chemical environments on cellular activities, including cancer cell invasion. This program will yield the tools necessary to probe cell-material interactions, and lead to the development of therapeutic biomaterials. This work is particularly important for regenerative strategies involving stem cells and cancer, since both these cell types are highly influenced by their environment. This research will help solidify Canada as a leader in biomaterials research and, in the long-term, lead to biomaterials to advance human health.