Stem Cell Engineering Research Group

Research Area Coordinator: Margarida Diogo

BEPStem holds labs on: Stem Cell Advanced Tissue Models (PI Margarida Diogo), Stem Cell Biosystems Engineering (PI Tiago Fernandes) and Stem Cell Epigenetics (Simão Rocha).

We are using human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) to develop advanced models of healthy and diseased human tissues, including neural, cardiac, and hepatic tissues. By combining stem cell biology with engineering approaches, we are advancing applications in disease modeling, drug screening, toxicology assays, and regenerative medicine. Our improved reprogramming techniques and innovative gene editing strategies enable us to create disease-specific human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) lines and their isogenic controls. We are actively studying the consequences of epigenetic dysfunction in hiPSC fate. Additionally, we are using innovative genome editing strategies to generate hPSCs with genetic compatibility for patient-specific regenerative medicine applications. Through novel biosystems engineering approaches, we are uncovering molecular mechanisms that influence hiPSC pluripotency and differentiation. We apply this knowledge to create artificial niches for more controlled hiPSC differentiation using bioengineering strategies like micropatterning, microfluidics, and microencapsulation. Among other applications, these tools will enhance the vascularization of our hiPSC-based 3D tissue models.

Laboratories:

Stem Cell Advanced Tissue Models Lab

Stem Cell Biosystems Engineering Lab

Stem Cell Epigenetics Lab

Research Area Coordinator: Cláudia Lobato da Silva

DMCMT holds labs on : Modulation of the Stem Cell Niche (PI Cláudia Lobato da Silva) and Smart Bioprocess Design for Cellular and Molecular Therapies (PI Ana Fernandes-Platzgummer)

We are dedicated to advancing Regenerative Medicine through innovative, collaborative research to address the critical manufacturing challenges of cell-based therapeutics. In the field of umbilical cord blood-derived hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC), we are developing customized bioreactors and studying the interactions between HSPC and their niche to enhance their expansion. For mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) and their extracellular vesicles (EVs), we have been establishing scalable and controlled manufacturing processes, while aiming to improve the therapeutic functionality of these cell-based products. We are also advancing the manufacturing of chimeric antigen receptor natural killer (CAR-NK) cells and their EVs through innovative transduction techniques and precise quality control methods. Moreover, to address the challenges of cell storage and transportation in a therapeutic context, we are studying encapsulation technologies to preserve cell viability and functionality. Importantly, we participate in EU-funded collaborative projects to scale-up the production of human skeletal and smooth muscle cells for Tissue Engineering settings. More recently, in the context of cellular agriculture, we are establishing manufacturing platforms for expanding and differentiating cells from relevant species for cell-based food production (pig, bovine and chicken).

Laboratories:

Modulation of the Stem Cell Niche Lab

Smart Bioprocess Design for Cellular and Molecular Therapies Lab

Research Area Coordinator: Frederico Ferreira

The focus areas dMESH at SERG and pMESH at 2BRG operate synergistically to foster collaborative research at Tagus Park and Alameda.

dMESH holds labs on: Bioelectronics for Cancer Therapies, Biomimetic and Functional Regenerative Biomaterials, Bioreactor and Biomaterial Technologies for Stem Cell Manufacturing  and Sustainable Tissue Engineering, Materials and Processes. 

Aligned with SCERG mission, dMESH contributes to develop advanced health and food products, fostering the fields of (i) additive manufacturing and biomaterials, developing new stimuli responsive biomaterials, nanoparticles, scaffolds, and bioinks for the regeneration of bone, cartilage, osteochondral, neural, cardiac, among other tissues as well as wireless strategies for regenerative and cancer therapies; (ii) modelling and machine learning/artificial intelligence approaches to generate digital twins of novel bioreactors, scaffolds, devices and processes and (iii) sustainable development of cellular agriculture, including optimization studies on fish tissue formation and bioreactor-based processes, designing novel vegan and edible scaffolds, bioinks, microcarriers, and structured food; and exploiting electrical and physical stimulation to enhance tissue maturation.

Ongoing and past dMESH’s projects are on cell agriculture, bioreactors, vascularization, cancer therapies, and neural and osteochondral regeneration.

Laboratories:

Sustainable Tissue Engineering, Materials and Processes (STEM-P) (PI: Frederico Ferreira)

Bioreactor and Biomaterial Technologies for Stem Cell Manufacturing Lab (PI: Carlos Rodrigues)

Bioelectronics for Cancer Therapies (PI: Paola Alberte)

Biomimetic and Functional Regenerative Biomaterials (PI: João Silva)