Research groups
The Centre of Excellence in Body-on-Chip Research (CoEBoC) brought together six research groups that collaborated closely to achieve the consortium’s objectives. Their combined expertise in biological and engineering sciences enabled the development of advanced body-on-chip technologies and human-relevant tissue models.
Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Group
Professor Minna Kellomäki’s group contributed expertise in synthetic and biologically modified materials. The group’s research focused on bioabsorbable polymers, hydrogels, bioactive glasses, and their composites. Their work supported the development of functionalized devices and scaffolds for biological and clinical applications.
Heart Group
Professor Katriina Aalto-Setälä’s group contributed expertise in induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell technology, including iPS cell derivation and differentiation into cardiomyocytes and hepatocytes. The group also developed co-culture models containing vascular-like structures composed of endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes, providing key components for integrated body-on-chip platforms.
Adjunct Professor Susanna Narkilahti’s group specialized in generating neuronal and glial cells from human pluripotent stem cells. The group characterized the produced cells through gene and protein expression analyses and investigated their maturation and electrophysiological functionality. In addition to developing neural tissues, the Neuro Group played a central role in incorporating innervation into body-on-chip models.
Computational Biophysics and Imaging Group
Professor Jari Hyttinen’s group contributed expertise in 3D bioimaging, electrophysiology, and computational modelling of cells, tissues, and their functions. The group developed novel high-resolution optical and X-ray microscopy methods and analytical tools that supported the characterization and optimization of body-on-chip systems.
Micro- and Nanosystems Group
Professor Pasi Kallio’s group combined expertise in automation and control engineering with microsystems and nanotechnology. The group developed autonomous systems for cell stimulation, measurement, and cultivation, as well as microfluidic chip platforms that formed the technological foundation of many CoEBoC applications.
Adult Stem Cell Group
Professor Susanna Miettinen’s group focused on the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating human mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) behaviour and differentiation. The group developed cell-based and tissue-engineered products for clinical applications and in vitro models. Their expertise in vascularization was essential for the development of vascularized tissue models within CoEBoC.
Affiliated groups
Neuroimmunology research group
Adjunct Professor Sanna Hagman’s group investigates the pathogenesis of neuroimmunological diseases. In particular, the group’s research focuses on the neuroinflammatory mechanisms of astrocytes and microglia. Human stem cell-based disease models are used to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these conditions.
