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Haase Group

Engineering vascularised tissue-specific disease models

The Haase group develops novel 3D vascularised in vitro tissues for disease modelling, drug development and regenerative medicine.

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Previous and current research

Microvessels are our earliest functional organs, and their dysfunction is linked to numerous diseases. The Haase group focuses on the development of novel in vitro human assays for examining the pathology of vascular disease, with a particular focus on those related to endocrine disorders and genetic differences stemming from sex. Our group has expertise in generating perfusable 3D in vitro vascular models. By incorporating self-assembled microvessels with tissue-specific cells, our capillary systems are used to investigate vasculogenesis (vessel formation) as well as microvascular pathologies. Our interdisciplinary group employs engineered platforms to investigate the role of physiological and pathological levels of mechanical cues on vascular development.

As tissue engineers, we employ a variety of fabrication, microscopy and biological techniques to ultimately increase our understanding of complex vascularized tissues. Our group works closely with clinicians and experts in modelling to develop physiological platforms for practical and predictive uses.

Future projects and goals

The Haase group develops strategies to vascularize organoids, spheroids and tissue grafts, with a particular focus on cardiac tissues. A long-term goal of the lab will be to implement our vascularized platforms for preclinical use.

Specific projects

Tissue-specific microvascular models. We use our in vitro vessels to understand fundamental questions related to vascular development, remodeling and response to perturbations such as inflammation. Using human primary cells, we have generated models of placenta, cardiac, lung, and breast-specific microvessels on-chip. We are currently answering questions related to sex and hormonal influence.

Scalable human vasculature using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). By differentiating human iPSCs into endothelial cells and supporting stromal cell populations, our aim is to generate patient- and disease-specific vascular models. We are focusing on cardiac vascular models currently.

Vascularized tumors as physiological drug screening platforms. Integrating vasculature with tumor spheroids and patient-derived organoids facilitates investigation of heterotypic cell interactions, physiologically relevant drug dissemination, and prolonged culture of microtissues. We are characterizing the impact of tumors on microvessels and their surrounding matrix, using advanced imaging, nanoindentation and mass spectrometry. Our long-term goal will be to use these systems for interrogation using novel therapeutics.

Exploiting mechanical cues to promote vascular development. We are scaling down our microfluidic model and integrating controlled flow on-chip. We aim to achieve individually perfusable vascular units for answering questions related to flow-mediated vascular remodeling in tissue-specific vessels.

ERC INVESTIGATOR

Figure 1: In the Haase group, we design in vitro microfluidic platforms to investigate vascular pathology. Work in the lab involves the engineering and design of vascular constructs (devices similar to the one shown), as well as microscopy and biological techniques. We generate perfusable vessels and monitor changes in vascular morphology, gene expression and barrier function.
Figure 2: The Haase group develops platforms to integrate vascular networks with mechanical cues. a. Strategies exploit mechanical cues to increase cardiomyocyte differentiation of iPSCs. b. An example of a vascularised cardiac construct developed in the lab.

News about Haase group

15 Nov 2021

Building a 3D placenta on a chip

A new model could serve as a platform to investigate critical placenta barrier phenomena, including defence against bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

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