Advancing animal-free organ-on-a-chip with PeptiMatrix

Project Overview

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a three-dimensional (3D), bioactive, instructive network that regulates cell behaviour through biochemical and biophysical cues. The ECM plays a crucial role in musculoskeletal (MSK) tissue development, function and dysfunction and should be considered an essential component in the design of Organ-on-a-Chip (OoC) models.

Paradoxically, given the animal replacement potential of OoC, many hydrogels currently used to mimic the 3D ECM in MSK OoC systems are animal-derived, e.g. Matrigel™ and type 1 collagen. These represent a significant, overlooked source of animal use that requires replacement. Furthermore, animal-derived hydrogels are ill-defined, poorly customizable, vary between batches, and lack sufficient mechanical properties.

This project addresses this gap by using PeptiMatrix™, a fully synthetic and customizable peptide hydrogel platform designed for 3D cell culture. PeptiMatrix™ exists in different stiffness formulations and functional augmentations.

What You Will Do

The PhD will evaluate PeptiMatrix™ formulations for use in multiple OoC platforms (Emulate, MIMETAS, BiomimX), modeling various MSK tissues such as synovium, cartilage, and bone. Key assessments will include the gels’ ability to maintain MSK cell viability and phenotype, transmit mechanical strain, and generate physiologically relevant engineered MSK tissues within the OoC environment. Collaboration with the PeptiMatrix™ team will provide technical and strategic consultancy.

Expected Outcomes

The project aims to redefine 3D tissue microenvironments in MSK organ-on-a-chip systems and develop animal-free, well-characterized hydrogel materials with improved mechanical and biochemical properties. The outcomes could extend beyond MSK tissues, impacting the broader field of organ-on-a-chip technology.

Why This Matters

Developing animal-free hydrogels will reduce animal use in research, enhance reproducibility and customization of OoC models, and enable more physiologically relevant tissue engineering approaches. This aligns with ethical goals and technical needs for next-generation organ-on-a-chip systems essential for drug discovery, disease modeling, and regenerative medicine.