Aim

To better mimic the in vivo environment of cells in cell culture assays to obtain in vitro experimental results that translate better to a human setting.

Approach

The CELPPLUS team has developed a method for better mimicking the natural environment in cell culture assays by using nanotechnological strategies: Proteins from the cells' natural surroundings were placed in a nanopattern on glass plates as the bottom of the traditional cell culture wells. By mimicking the in vivo environment, the cells can behave more similarly to how they would behave in the human body.

The CELPPLUS project used keratinocytes as a case study, but the methods of mimicking the natural surroundings of cells can be used for basically all cell lines that are studied in the lab.

Outcome

During the two-year project (2021–2023), the CELPPLUS team successfully developed functional cell culture wells with nanopatterned protein surfaces that better recreate the cellular microenvironment. The project demonstrated that recreating key environmental cues can help cells behave more like they do in vivo, improving the physiological relevance of in vitro experiments. The technology provides a platform that can be adapted for many different cell types and has the potential to improve the translation of laboratory findings to clinical research.

Below, you will find a link to the CELPPLUS video recorded at the beginning of the project. You can also read an article on how the CELPPLUS team developed the cell culture wells and what their hopes are for future collaborations on the CELPPLUS assay.