Feng Zhao, Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University

Human cell-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) closely mimics the native tissue environment, providing essential structural proteins and growth factors for tissue repair and regeneration. To address the limitations of allogenic tissue availability and the risks of xenogenic tissue rejection, we have developed a "bottom-up" approach to generate ECM scaffolds with customizable architecture from cultured human cells. This method offers precise control over critical factors such as pore size and mechanical properties, which are key to guiding cell behavior and promoting effective tissue regeneration. Additionally, our approach allows for comprehensive pathogen screening, significantly reducing the risks of immune rejection and inflammatory responses commonly associated with non-human tissues. In this presentation, I will discuss how we have applied these strategies to human cell-derived ECM for developing soft tissues in cardiovascular tissue regeneration and skin wound healing. Our work highlights the potential for scalable production of human cell-derived ECM, providing safer and more effective therapeutic solutions for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.