THEMES
These themes highlight our research focus and summarize current projects in the lab.
Theme 1:
Determining the role of epithelial-fibroblast and epithelial-fibroblast-immune cell-extracellular matrix crosstalk in health, inflammatory, and fibrotic lung disease mechanisms
In this theme we establish 3D biomimetic models such as, pulmonary vascularized bioprinted systems, 3D lung epithelial-fibroblast & immune-fibroblast co-cultures, 3D airway epithelial air-liquid interface cultures, & fibroblast-seeded 3D collagen gels to study how (defective) epithelial-fibroblast & immune structural cell interaction mediated by cytokines, growth factors (e.g., IL-1α, IL-8, IL-6, TGF-β), epigenetic mechanisms (miRNAs), & mechanical factors, etc., are essential for repair, (fibrotic) and inflammatory mechanisms in health and lung diseases (e.g., COPD and Asthma).
Selected Refs - PMID: 27418555 PMID: 28546273 PMID: 32457454
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Theme 2:
Assessing the effect of the mechanodynamic microenvironment of the breathing lung on cell-ECM and multicellular interactions in health and disease
This line of research specializes in creating mechanodynamic 2D and 3D cell-embedded collagen models and hydrogel-embedded lung organoid models in mechanical bioreactors (e.g. Flexcell tension system) that apply strain to mimic tension in the pulmonary microenvironment as encountered in health and disease. These studies have revealed lung structural cells (e.g. fibroblasts) exposed to strain in a 3D environment change their phenotype. Further a multicellular alveolar mechanical model has been established and being used to assess multicellular interactions due to pulmonary mechanical strain. Selected Refs - PMID: 35053300 PMID: 39068387
Theme 3:
Investigating the mechanisms of multi-organ crosstalk using biomimetic microphysiological systems
In this theme we use commercially available (e.g. TissUse) and our in-house multi-organ-on-chips to set up multi-organ models. The current investigation is using this platform to establish gut-lung axis models to assess the mechanisms of interactions involving the microbiomes and other factors of the two organs. Selected Ref - PMID: 34440917
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Theme 4:
Utilizing ex vivo models to link biomimetic model research findings to humans
This theme closely links with the 3 other themes in the lab. Here, we correlate mechanistic findings from our artificial tissue models with patient-derived lung tissues to confirm and improve the translation of our findings and influence real-world disease management. Selected Refs - PMID: 32679790 PMID: 30950644
![Emmanuel Osei_ATS Poster 2018 [Autosaved] (1).bmp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e8ff7e_23981fb55b4d41b1bf6accf311b11d5e~mv2.png/v1/crop/x_0,y_99,w_587,h_659/fill/w_164,h_188,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Emmanuel%20Osei_ATS%20Poster%202018%20%5BAutosaved%5D%20(1)_bmp.png)
Theme 5:
Establishing & physiologically characterizing next-generation invertebrate cell culture models
In this line of research, we collaborate with Dr. M. Rheault’s lab to establish novel cell culture systems of invertebrates (e.g., insect epithelium from Trichoplusia ni) and physiologically compare their chemical transport to previous tissue-related findings. Rheault Lab - Insect Molecular Physiology - Welcome
Osei Lab Equipment
A snapshot of the equipment used to conduct research in the Osei lab
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PRUSA SL1S SLA 3D printer
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FORM 3B SLA 3D Printer
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PRUSA MK3 3D Filament printer
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3D Extrusion and DLP Bioprinters
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LUMENX+ DLP Bioprinter
BIOX Extrusion-based-bioprinter
FLEXCELL 6000 Tissue Mechanical Bioreactor
TissUse HUMIMIC multi-organ-on-chip system
Cryostorage (-80 Freezer & Liquid Nitrogen storage)
More Cyrostorage -20 freezer and cold storage
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BSL2 Cell Culture Cabinet & equipment
Fluorescent & brightfield microscopes & automated cell counters for culture & analysis
Specialised peristaltic and syringe pumps for microfluidic assays
Incubators for BSL2 Cell culture
Centrifuges & bench-top equipment for molecular techniques