Study of tumor cell adhesion selectivity in a colorectal cancer model on a chip

• Grant number: 25/16150-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: February 02, 2026
• End date: February 01, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Marisa Masumi Beppu
• Grantee: Gabriela Pereira de Freitas
• Supervisor: Joaquim Miguel Antunes Correia de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Química (FEQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidade do Minho (UMinho), Portugal
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/01660-6 - Production and functionalization of devices produced by additive manufacturing for the capture and detection of tumor cells for diagnostic purposes, BP.DD

Abstract

Cancer is one of the leading causes of global mortality, with projections indicating a further increase in the coming decades. Microphysiological systems, such as organs-on-a-chip, are emerging as promising alternatives for studying disease progression and developing effective therapies, as they more faithfully mimic in vivo tissue structure and function by incorporating multiple cell types and biomechanical stimuli. These systems enable the evaluation of biomaterials' selectivity for tumor cell adhesion. Hydrogels are widely used to replicate the extracellular matrix, and their functionalization with specific receptors can guide cell adhesion. Integrating these materials with biosensors allows real-time monitoring of the tumor microenvironment, fostering the development of more effective diagnostics and therapies. This project therefore proposes the development of a colorectal cancer model on a chip, with micropatterned matrices functionalized using the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly to evaluate cell adhesion and growth in co-cultures, aiming for an in-depth investigation of the selectivity of the engineered material. Dr. Joaquim Miguel Oliveira's research group at the I3Bs Institute has internationally recognized expertise in the technologies employed, including chip microfabrication, hydrogel printing, and co-culture evaluation. The combination of these technologies with LbL functionalization-the expertise of the Brazilian research group-will contribute to the development of more robust and biologically relevant models, generating significant scientific advances for the ongoing project in Brazil.