title: Recapitulating Cell-Cell Interactions for Organoid Construction - Are Biomaterials Dispensable?
abstract: Cells are spatially patterned in 3D space to allow an intricately orchestrated exchange of signals that regulate their migration, proliferation, differentiation, and death. In recent years cellular self-assembly has emerged as an attractive method to achieve the complexity of organ structures, where the essential cell types co-cultured under carefully defined conditions in vitro have been shown to give rise to organoids such as the optic cup, brain, intestine, liver, and kidney. In view of these developments, what would the revised role of biomaterial-based technologies be, or do they retain any role at all? This Opinion article maintains that biomaterials will not only retain their value but will also synergize with organoid technologies in recapitulating cell-cell interactions.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos, Singapore 138669, Singapore. Electronic address: awan@ibn.a-star.edu.sg.
authors.forename: Andrew C A
authors.initials: ACA
authors.lastname: Wan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002450:Cell Communication; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009940:Organoids / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D018874:Spheroids, Cellular; D013234:Stem Cells; D023822:Tissue Engineering
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials
keywords: biomaterials; cell–cell interactions; organoids; tissue engineering