In vivo, local tissue structure defines the cellular environment, constraining how cells interact with surrounding extracellular matrix substrates, neighboring cells, soluble growth factors, and physical forces. These “microenvironmental” cues in turn play a central role in regulating the behavior of individual resident cells, such as proliferation, differentiation, migration, and suicide. Here, I will present 3D culture platforms that are able to recapitulate more complex functions of biological tissues, and how we are using them to gain deeper insights into disease and physiology.

Refreshments in the lobby following the lecture.