Work

Spatiotemporal instrumentation of in vitro tissues: Toward understanding human disease

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Advances in tissue engineering provide unique opportunities for disease modeling and therapeutic discovery. Over the past decade, the discovery of human induced pluripotent stem cells and a growing understanding of fundamental developmental physiology have led to more physiologically relevant in vitro models. In particular, biomaterial engineering and biomanufacturing approaches have enabled in vitro tissue models that recapitulate the critical spatiotemporal function of the native tissue organ. However, monitoring their dynamic cellular and molecular changes remains a challenge, as conventional imaging or endpoint assays provide a limitation in real-time, spatially resolved data acquisition. Therefore, there is a need for advanced techniques that can fill the gap of missing spatiotemporal information critical for understanding the nature of disease physiology. In this perspective, we outline our opinion on the progress that is necessary in biomaterials, bioelectronic interfaces, backend electronics, and data management to achieve high-resolution spatiotemporal interaction between human tissue and devices at scale.

Source: Cell Biomaterials

DOI: 10.1016/j.celbio.2026.100576

Authors: Christopher Kenji Brenden, John Turner Williams, Daniel Rivas, Csaba Forro, Suji Choi

Institutions: Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Chicago, Northwestern University

Language: English

Topic: Neuroscience and Neural Engineering

Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $9,350