Materialien-Host Interaktionen

The Research Group Materials-Host Interactions investigates how Living Therapeutic Materials (LTMs) interact with in vitro tissue models. We focus on understanding the risks associated with LTMs, to facilitate their safe and sustainable translation.

Dr. Sara Trujillo Muñoz, INM – Leibniz-Institut für Neue Materialien gGmbH
Dr. Sara Trujillo Muñoz
Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin
Telefon: +49 (0)681-9300-113
Mitarbeiter/innen
Telefon: +49 (0)681-9300-403
Telefon: +49 (0)681-9300-137
Telefon: +49 (0)681-9300-330
Research

Investigation of LTMs in vitro for pre-clinical development

We develop experimental methods to investigate LTM interactions in vitro. We look for compatible culture conditions for both LTM and tissue models and we investigate the effects of these LTMs in the host. Some of these effects relate to LTM safety and biocompatibility, so we can quantify the probability of LTMs to cause unwanted side effects.

Our cellular models

To understand specific interactions between LTMs and their target tissue in the host, we have established in vitro models, and we continue to develop new ones to incorporate to our portfolio. We focus on angiogenesis, inflammation and the cornea.

Angiogenesis

We have developed 2D and 3D models to assess pro- and anti-angiogenic potential using endothelial cells and dermal fibroblasts. We also perform the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay, an ex vivo system for the quantification of angiogenesis. These models allow us to quantify several parameters during endothelial cell sprouting to characterize the potential of a treatment to trigger capillary formation.

Inflammation

We are developing methods to assess inflammatory potential in vitro, by using cells involved in the foreign body reaction to biomaterials such as monocytes, macrophages and fibroblasts. We look for ways to detect changes on these cells when in contact with LTMs. We use the monocyte activation test to detect the presence of endotoxin or non-endotoxin pyrogens, which can trigger fever in the host. We characterise the response of macrophages to LTMs and study the effects of anti-inflammatory LTMs.

In vitro cornea

We are developing models of the cornea tissue to investigate drug-delivery to the eye. These models will help us understand for example, how LTMs can be applied to the eye.

Publikationen

2024
Self-Lubricating, Living Contact Lenses

Puertas-Bartolomé, María | Gutierrez-Urrutia, Izabook | Teruel-Enrico, Lara Luana | Nguyen Duong, Cao | Desai, Krupansh | Trujillo, Sara | Wittmann, Christoph | del Campo, Aránzazu

Advanced Materials , 2024, 36 (27), 2313848.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adma.202313848

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2023
Cytocompatibility evaluation of PEG-methylsulfone hydrogels

Trujillo, Sara | Kasper, Jennifer Y. | Miguel-Jimenez, Adrián De | Abt, Britta | Bauer, Alina | Mekontso Ngaffo, Joelle A. | Pearson, Samuel | del Campo, Aránzazu

ACS Omega , 2023, 8 (35), 32043-32052.
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.3c03952

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2022
Vitronectin-based hydrogels recapitulate neuroblastoma growth conditions

Monferrer, Ezequiel | Dobre, Oana | Trujillo, Sara | González Oliva, Mariana Azevedo | Trubert-Paneli, Alexandre | Acevedo-León, Delia | Noguera, Rosa | Salmeron-Sanchez, Manuel

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology , 2022, 10 1-14.
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2022.988699

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