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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 origin
Cell 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
3b
"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