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Polymeric nanofiber matrix as the 3D solution for

stem cell research

Juliette van den Dolder, PhD

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Noviocell BV

• Spin-off: founded Sept 2015

• Prof A. Rowan, Dept Molecular materials, RU and

Prof W. Feitz and Dr E. Oosterwijk, Dept Urology, RIMLS, Radboud UMC

• Our mission is to accelerate life science research in (stem) cell growth and

differentiation by making 3D cell culture feasible for every (stem) cell

biology researcher.

• Polyisocyanopeptide hydrogel is a fully synthetic biomimetic extracellular

matrix with identical biomechanical properties as natural matrices

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Stem cell researchers need 3D scaffold

to mimic human nature

• Stem cells for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

3D human organs2D cell culture ware

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Extracellular Matrix - mimetic material

Schematic representation of extracellular matrix. Nature Nanotech

2011, 6:13

Polyisocyanopeptide

(PIC) hydrogel

• Physical support for the cells

• Chemical composition of the ECM

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Batch variation, animal origin, cell recovery

are drawbacks of current 3D scaffolds

Batch to batch variation Animal originCell recovery with

harsh methods such

as scraping, dissolving

in solvents or enzyme

treatment

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PIC hydrogel is reproducible, synthetic &

allows ease of cell recovery

Fully reversible thermo-sensitive which allows for ease of cell or tissue recovery

Easy downstream processing after culturing (DNA, protein analysis or microscopy)

hotcold

Polyisocyanopeptide (PIC) hydrogels

No batch to batch variation

Synthetic origin

"Responsive biomimetic networks from

polyisocyanopeptide hydrogels", Nature

2013, 493:651-655 P. Kouwer et.al. Dept.

Molecular Materials, Radboud University.

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PIC hydrogel functions as a cell

instructive and porous scaffold

Tubulur structures of Huvec

cells in PIC hydrogel with RGD peptide, VEGF and FGF

Can be easily functionalized for different cell types

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"Novel Polyisocyanopeptide Hydrogels for 3D cell culture", W.Sun et al. Dept of Urology, Radboud

Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 2015, submitted.

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Cells grow, spread and organize in PIC

hydrogel

PIC hydrogel tested with several cells types

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PIC hydrogel performs uniquely like

human collagen

PIC hydrogel follows same strain stiffness as human collagen

“Ultra-responsive soft matter from strain-stiffening hydrogels” M. Jaspers et.al. Nature Communications

2014, 5:5808

collagen

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Current status and future challenge

Batch to batch variation

Biomechanical properties

Biophysical properties

Biocompatibility

Sterility

Product stability

PIC Hydrogel with

fibrin

PIC Hydrogel with

RGD peptide

Biofunctionalized

PIC hydrogel for

specific cell types

Defining essential product requirementsDevelopment of products

2016

2017

2018

UPSCALING

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Questions?

Noviocell BV

Dr. Juliette van den Dolder

Reinier Postlaan 2

j.vandendolder@ivsconsultancy.com

6525 GC Nijmegen, the Netherlands

T: +31-646155064

Questions?Thank you for your attention