Gel imaging system to study cell responses to biomaterials in the nervous system, bone and skin

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The development of novel tissue engineering strategies and 3D cell culture systems require the synthesis of increasingly more complex scaffolds. Those functional biomaterials aim to stimulate cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, and functionality in 3D environment recapitulating the native tissue. Imaging technologies are now more than ever required to properly characterize those 3D cell culture systems in terms of cell signaling, gene and specific protein expression. Research groups of M.-A. Lauzon and N. Faucheux focus their research activities on the development of the new generation of biomaterials that mimic more faithfully physiological conditions to understand better cell behaviors in 3D environment. Yet, the current infrastructure (obsolete version of the requested equipement) at the Faculty of Engineering of Université de Sherbrooke cannot be used anymore and urgently needs replacement. The requested Gel Imaging system will play a key role in the characterization of cell-cell interactions, cell differentiation as well as cell-scaffold interactions in acute engineered biomaterials and complex fluidic systems focusing on applications in bone, nervous systems, and skin. Studying those interactions provides valuable insights on the functionnality and accuracy of 3D cell culture models. The capacity of the Gel Imaging System to analyze nucleic acids and proteins expression through different imaging modes with high resolution as well as a substantial reduction in manipulation time as compared with the traditional workflow, will propel the development of new materials with strong therapeutic potential. The acquisition of this equipment is not only paramount to achieve the research objectives of the applicants, but will also reinforce greatly the infrastructure already in place for nucleic acids and proteins analyses, replace an obsolete equipment and contribute to several research programs at Université de Sherbrooke. The requested Gel Imaging System will be used in the formation of several polyvalent highly qualified personnel, who will benefit from a dynamic, rich and inclusive training environment. They will also have the opportunity to develop a unique expertise by acquiring both fundamental and applied knowledge. Moreover, they will have access to a great collective and diversified knowledge in biotechnological engineering and cellular biology as well as state of the art equipment and facilities through ongoing collaborations. As the importance of 3D cell culture arises for the development of more realistic in vitro models in the domain of drug discovery, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, such polyvalent knowledge and marketable skills will be attractive for Canadian biomedical and pharmaceutical industries.