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Rijns L, Baker MB, Dankers PYW. Using Chemistry To Recreate the Complexity of the Extracellular Matrix: Guidelines for Supramolecular Hydrogel-Cell Interactions. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:17539-17558. [PMID: 38888174 PMCID: PMC11229007 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c02980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Hydrogels have emerged as a promising class of extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimicking materials in regenerative medicine. Here, we briefly describe current state-of-the-art of ECM-mimicking hydrogels, ranging from natural to hybrid to completely synthetic versions, giving the prelude to the importance of supramolecular interactions to make true ECM mimics. The potential of supramolecular interactions to create ECM mimics for cell culture is illustrated through a focus on two different supramolecular hydrogel systems, both developed in our laboratories. We use some recent, significant findings to present important design principles underlying the cell-material interaction. To achieve cell spreading, we propose that slow molecular dynamics (monomer exchange within fibers) is crucial to ensure the robust incorporation of cell adhesion ligands within supramolecular fibers. Slow bulk dynamics (stress-relaxation─fiber rearrangements, τ1/2 ≈ 1000 s) is required to achieve cell spreading in soft gels (<1 kPa), while gel stiffness overrules dynamics in stiffer gels. Importantly, this resonates with the findings of others which specialize in different material types: cell spreading is impaired in case substrate relaxation occurs faster than clutch binding and focal adhesion lifetime. We conclude with discussing considerations and limitations of the supramolecular approach as well as provide a forward thinking perspective to further understand supramolecular hydrogel-cell interactions. Future work may utilize the presented guidelines underlying cell-material interactions to not only arrive at the next generation of ECM-mimicking hydrogels but also advance other fields, such as bioelectronics, opening up new opportunities for innovative applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Rijns
- Institute
for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven
University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Matthew B. Baker
- Department
of Complex Tissue Regeneration, MERLN Institute for Technology Inspired
Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department
of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology
Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht
University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Patricia Y. W. Dankers
- Institute
for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven
University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Department
of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven
University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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Lai J, Liu Y, Lu G, Yung P, Wang X, Tuan RS, Li ZA. 4D bioprinting of programmed dynamic tissues. Bioact Mater 2024; 37:348-377. [PMID: 38694766 PMCID: PMC11061618 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2024.03.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Setting time as the fourth dimension, 4D printing allows us to construct dynamic structures that can change their shape, property, or functionality over time under stimuli, leading to a wave of innovations in various fields. Recently, 4D printing of smart biomaterials, biological components, and living cells into dynamic living 3D constructs with 4D effects has led to an exciting field of 4D bioprinting. 4D bioprinting has gained increasing attention and is being applied to create programmed and dynamic cell-laden constructs such as bone, cartilage, and vasculature. This review presents an overview on 4D bioprinting for engineering dynamic tissues and organs, followed by a discussion on the approaches, bioprinting technologies, smart biomaterials and smart design, bioink requirements, and applications. While much progress has been achieved, 4D bioprinting as a complex process is facing challenges that need to be addressed by transdisciplinary strategies to unleash the full potential of this advanced biofabrication technology. Finally, we present future perspectives on the rapidly evolving field of 4D bioprinting, in view of its potential, increasingly important roles in the development of advanced dynamic tissues for basic research, pharmaceutics, and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Lai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Center for Neuromusculoskeletal Restorative Medicine, Hong Kong Science Park, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yuwei Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Gang Lu
- Center for Neuromusculoskeletal Restorative Medicine, Hong Kong Science Park, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Patrick Yung
- Center for Neuromusculoskeletal Restorative Medicine, Hong Kong Science Park, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiaoying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pulp & Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology, 381 Wushan Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Rocky S. Tuan
- Center for Neuromusculoskeletal Restorative Medicine, Hong Kong Science Park, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zhong Alan Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Center for Neuromusculoskeletal Restorative Medicine, Hong Kong Science Park, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
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Zheng F, Tian R, Lu H, Liang X, Shafiq M, Uchida S, Chen H, Ma M. Droplet Microfluidics Powered Hydrogel Microparticles for Stem Cell-Mediated Biomedical Applications. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2401400. [PMID: 38881184 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202401400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Stem cell-related therapeutic technologies have garnered significant attention of the research community for their multi-faceted applications. To promote the therapeutic effects of stem cells, the strategies for cell microencapsulation in hydrogel microparticles have been widely explored, as the hydrogel microparticles have the potential to facilitate oxygen diffusion and nutrient transport alongside their ability to promote crucial cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Despite their significant promise, there is an acute shortage of automated, standardized, and reproducible platforms to further stem cell-related research. Microfluidics offers an intriguing platform to produce stem cell-laden hydrogel microparticles (SCHMs) owing to its ability to manipulate the fluids at the micrometer scale as well as precisely control the structure and composition of microparticles. In this review, the typical biomaterials and crosslinking methods for microfluidic encapsulation of stem cells as well as the progress in droplet-based microfluidics for the fabrication of SCHMs are outlined. Moreover, the important biomedical applications of SCHMs are highlighted, including regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, scale-up production of stem cells, and microenvironmental simulation for fundamental cell studies. Overall, microfluidics holds tremendous potential for enabling the production of diverse hydrogel microparticles and is worthy for various stem cell-related biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangqiao Zheng
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, P. R. China
| | - Ruizhi Tian
- Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, P. R. China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Hongxu Lu
- Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, P. R. China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Xiao Liang
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, P. R. China
| | - Muhammad Shafiq
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM), Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 210-0821, Japan
| | - Satoshi Uchida
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM), Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 210-0821, Japan
- Department of Advanced Nanomedical Engineering, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Hangrong Chen
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, P. R. China
- Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, P. R. China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Ming Ma
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, P. R. China
- Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, P. R. China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
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4
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Vahala D, Amos SE, Sacchi M, Soliman BG, Hepburn MS, Mowla A, Li J, Jeong JH, Astell C, Hwang Y, Kennedy BF, Lim KS, Choi YS. 3D Volumetric Mechanosensation of MCF7 Breast Cancer Spheroids in a Linear Stiffness Gradient GelAGE. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2301506. [PMID: 37670531 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202301506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment presents spatiotemporal shifts in biomechanical properties with cancer progression. Hydrogel biomaterials like GelAGE offer the stiffness tuneability to recapitulate dynamic changes in tumor tissues by altering photo-energy exposures. Here, a tuneable hydrogel with spatiotemporal control of stiffness and mesh-network is developed. The volume of MCF7 spheroids encapsulated in a linear stiffness gradient demonstrates an inverse relationship with stiffness (p < 0.0001). As spheroids are exposed to increased crosslinking (stiffer) and greater mechanical confinement, spheroid stiffness increases. Protein expression (TRPV4, β1 integrin, E-cadherin, and F-actin) decreases with increasing stiffness while showing strong correlations to spheroid volume (r2 > 0.9). To further investigate the role of volume, MCF7 spheroids are grown in a soft matrix for 5 days prior to a second polymerisation which presents a stiffness gradient to equally expanded spheroids. Despite being exposed to variable stiffness, these spheroids show even protein expression, confirming volume as a key regulator. Overall, this work showcases the versatility of GelAGE and demonstrates volume expansion as a key regulator of 3D mechanosensation in MCF7 breast cancer spheroids. This platform has the potential to further investigation into the role of stiffness and dimensionality in 3D spheroid culture for other types of cancers and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Vahala
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Sebastian E Amos
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Marta Sacchi
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Bram G Soliman
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Otago Christchurch, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand
| | - Matt S Hepburn
- Department of Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
- BRITElab, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Alireza Mowla
- Department of Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
- BRITElab, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Jiayue Li
- Department of Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
- BRITElab, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Ji Hoon Jeong
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-Bio Science, Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, 31151, South Korea
| | - Chrissie Astell
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Yongsung Hwang
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-Bio Science, Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, 31151, South Korea
| | - Brendan F Kennedy
- Department of Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
- BRITElab, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Khoon S Lim
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Otago Christchurch, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Yu Suk Choi
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
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5
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Molley TG, Jiang S, Ong L, Kopecky C, Ranaweera CD, Jalandhra GK, Milton L, Kardia E, Zhou Z, Rnjak-Kovacina J, Waters SA, Toh YC, Kilian KA. Gas-modulating microcapsules for spatiotemporal control of hypoxia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2217557120. [PMID: 37040415 PMCID: PMC10120079 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2217557120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxygen is a vital molecule involved in regulating development, homeostasis, and disease. The oxygen levels in tissue vary from 1 to 14% with deviations from homeostasis impacting regulation of various physiological processes. In this work, we developed an approach to encapsulate enzymes at high loading capacity, which precisely controls the oxygen content in cell culture. Here, a single microcapsule is able to locally perturb the oxygen balance, and varying the concentration and distribution of matrix-embedded microcapsules provides spatiotemporal control. We demonstrate attenuation of hypoxia signaling in populations of stem cells, cancer cells, endothelial cells, cancer spheroids, and intestinal organoids. Varying capsule placement, media formulation, and timing of replenishment yields tunable oxygen gradients, with concurrent spatial growth and morphogenesis in a single well. Capsule containing hydrogel films applied to chick chorioallantoic membranes encourages neovascularization, providing scope for topical treatments or hydrogel wound dressings. This platform can be used in a variety of formats, including deposition in hydrogels, as granular solids for 3D bioprinting, and as injectable biomaterials. Overall, this platform's simplicity and flexibility will prove useful for fundamental studies of oxygen-mediated processes in virtually any in vitro or in vivo format, with scope for inclusion in biomedical materials for treating injury or disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas G. Molley
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
| | - Shouyuan Jiang
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
| | - Louis Ong
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD4000, Australia
- Centre for Biomedical Technologies, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD4059, Australia
- Max-Planck Queensland Centre, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD4059, Australia
| | - Chantal Kopecky
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
| | | | - Gagan K. Jalandhra
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
| | - Laura Milton
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD4000, Australia
- Centre for Biomedical Technologies, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD4059, Australia
| | - Egi Kardia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
| | - Zeheng Zhou
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
| | - Jelena Rnjak-Kovacina
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
| | - Shafagh A. Waters
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
| | - Yi-Chin Toh
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD4000, Australia
- Centre for Biomedical Technologies, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD4059, Australia
- Max-Planck Queensland Centre, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD4059, Australia
- Centre for Microbiome Research, Queensland University of Technology, Woolloongabba, QLD4102, Australia
| | - Kristopher A. Kilian
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
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Nguyen RY, Cabral AT, Rossello-Martinez A, Zulli A, Gong X, Zhang Q, Yan J, Mak M. Tunable Mesoscopic Collagen Island Architectures Modulate Stem Cell Behavior. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2207882. [PMID: 36895051 PMCID: PMC10166061 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202207882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix is the biophysical environment that scaffolds mammalian cells in the body. The main constituent is collagen. In physiological tissues, collagen network topology is diverse with complex mesoscopic features. While studies have explored the roles of collagen density and stiffness, the impact of complex architectures remains not well-understood. Developing in vitro systems that recapitulate these diverse collagen architectures is critical for understanding physiologically relevant cell behaviors. Here, methods are developed to induce the formation of heterogeneous mesoscopic architectures, referred to as collagen islands, in collagen hydrogels. These island-containing gels have highly tunable inclusions and mechanical properties. Although these gels are globally soft, there is regional enrichment in the collagen concentration at the cell-scale. Collagen-island architectures are utilized to study mesenchymal stem cell behavior, and it is demonstrated that cell migration and osteogenic differentiation are altered. Finally, induced pluripotent stem cells are cultured in island-containing gels, and it is shown that the architecture is sufficient to induce mesodermal differentiation. Overall, this work highlights complex mesoscopic tissue architectures as bioactive cues in regulating cell behavior and presents a novel collagen-based hydrogel that captures these features for tissue engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Y. Nguyen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Aidan T. Cabral
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Alessandro Zulli
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Xiangyu Gong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Qiuting Zhang
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jing Yan
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Michael Mak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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