BioMicroSystems

Our research

The intestine, lined by a complex epithelial layer, is essential for nutrient absorption and barrier function. The intestinal epithelium is constantly renewed by highly proliferative intestinal stem cells. Disruption of the intestinal homeostasis contributes to disease, inflammation, and impaired tissue regeneration. However, it remains challenging to fully recapitulate the complexity of the human intestinal niche in experimental models. 

Our lab aims to understand how the intestinal microenvironment regulates stem cell behaviour, tissue organization, and regeneration. To address these questions, we develop advanced human in vitro models combining organoids, biomaterials, tissue engineering, and microfluidic organs-on-a-chip technologies. These systems enable us to perform controlled investigations of intestinal biology in physiologically relevant environments and for both fundamental and translational research.   

Aims

• Understand how the intestinal microenvironment regulates stem cell behaviour, tissue organisation, and regeneration. 
• Develop advanced dynamic human intestinal models integrating epithelial, vascular, stromal, microbial, and metabolite interactions.
• Engineer biomaterials and tissue-engineered constructs for regenerative and translational applications. 
• Apply these models towards studying stem cell biology, ageing, inflammation, host-microbe interactions, and tissue repair. 

Impact

Our research aims to generate fundamental knowledge on how intestinal stem cells and tissue microenvironments are regulated in health and disease.  

In parallel, the advanced human model system developed in our lab provides platforms for therapeutic testing, and regenerative medicine applications. By engineering physiologically relevant intestinal microenvironments, our work contributes towards the development of the next generation of translational system with potential applications in tissue regeneration, ATMP development, and replacement of animal experimental models. 

Team

(name linked to the researcher's profile in the Lund University research portal)

Maria Nordin

Principal Investigator, maria [dot] nordin [at] bme [dot] lth [dot] se

Federica Quacquarelli

Researcher, federica [dot] quacquarelli [at] bme [dot] lth [dot] se (federica[dot]quacquarelli[at]bme[dot]lth[dot]se)

Maya Hagbok

BSc thesis student (Biomedicine programme), maya [dot] hagbok [at] gmail [dot] com (maya[dot]hagbok[at]gmail[dot]com)

Julia Grönvall

MSc thesis student (Engineering Nanoscience progamme), ju3641gr-s [at] student [dot] lu [dot] se (ju3641gr-s[at]student[dot]lu[dot]se)