{"id":15,"date":"2019-10-30T10:51:59","date_gmt":"2019-10-30T10:51:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/haase\/?page_id=15"},"modified":"2024-07-30T14:57:55","modified_gmt":"2024-07-30T14:57:55","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/haase\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Haase group develops novel 3D vascularised in vitro tissues for disease modelling, drug development and regenerative medicine.<\/p>\r\n\n Edit<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n Kristina Haase<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n

\n Group Leader\n <\/p>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n

\n ORCID:<\/span>\n \n 0000-0003-3321-4286\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n \n Edit\n <\/a>\n <\/article>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Previous and current research<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Microvessels are our earliest functional organs, and their \ndysfunction is linked to numerous diseases. The Haase group focuses on \nthe development of novel in vitro<\/em> human assays for examining \nthe pathology of vascular disease, with a particular focus on those \nrelated to endocrine disorders and genetic differences stemming from \nsex. Our group has expertise in generating perfusable 3D in vitro<\/em>\n vascular models. By incorporating self-assembled microvessels with \ntissue-specific cells, our capillary systems are used to investigate \nvasculogenesis (vessel formation) as well as microvascular pathologies. \nOur interdisciplinary group employs engineered platforms to investigate \nthe role of physiological and pathological levels of mechanical cues on \nvascular development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Future projects and goals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specific projects<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Tissue-specific microvascular models.<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scalable human vasculature using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vascularized tumors as physiological drug screening platforms.<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exploiting mechanical cues to promote vascular development.<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ERC INVESTIGATOR<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n