CHIMIA (Feb 2019)

Bioinspired Hydrogels for 3D Organoid Culture

  • Delphine Blondel,
  • Matthias P. Lutolf

DOI
https://doi.org/10.2533/chimia.2019.81
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 73, no. 1-2

Abstract

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Abstract: Organoids have stepped into the limelight as unique in vitro systems for modeling organ development, function and disease. This review provides a perspective on how chemically defined, bio-inspired hydrogels could be used for replacing ill-defined matrices derived from the native extracellular matrix (ECM) that are used for generating organoids in 3D stem cell culture. In particular, we propose the use of self-healing and light-responsive matrices that should afford control over the inherently stochastic self-organization process that currently underlies organoid morphogenesis. Such designer ECMs could accelerate the translation of organoid technology from the laboratory into various real-life applications.

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