Tünde Lapohos received the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) in 2024/25. Tünde is working on the development of in vitro tissue models to track how cellular responses might be affected by different biomaterials and design strategies.

Natasha Kunchur was awarded a CIHR Doctoral Scholarship which will support her studies focused on mapping biochemical changes in airways using Raman micro spectroscopy and machine learning.

Congratulations to both!!!

More information can be found .

The lab was also represented by Tünde who ended up being a finalist, presenting  . Tünde just started her Master’s and is already out there showing case her research.

Congratulations to both!

More information and the videos of the presentations can be found .

You can read the full announcement , her new and check out the social media posts on and .

Congratulations!

We are happy to share that 2 of our PhD students, Nadia Abzan and Natasha Kunchur, got 3rd place awards at the 1st TEAM Hub workshop!

Nadia did a great job explaining her research in lay terms, winning the prize in the ‘Knowledge Translation category with the poster titled ‘The breathtaking mystery!‘, where she explained her journey in developing 3D airway models to better understand the mechanisms involved in asthma.

Natasha secured her prize in the category ‘Technology and Applications’, with the poster ‘Mapping Airway Remodeling in Asthma using Multimodal Raman-Second Harmonic Generation Imaging and Machine Learning’. Her ambitious project combining imaging and machine learning caught the attention of the judges.

Congratulations, Nadia and Natasha!

If you want to read more about the workshop, please check it . It will happen again in 2025!

Left to right: Natasha (PhD student), Dr. Leila Mostaço-Guidolin, Nadia (PhD student) and Aroosha (PhD student). 

This work was part of Shahad Shakir’s recently concluded Master’s in Biomedical Engineering and was done in collaboration with Dr. Murugkar from ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´’s Physics Department and the NRC.

Congratulations, team!

If you want to read the work, please check it

Angiogenesis driven extracellular matrix remodeling of 3D bioprinted vascular networks

Angiogenesis plays a pivotal role in development and tissue growth, as well as in pathological conditions such as cancer. Being able to understand the basic mechanisms involved in the vascularization of tissues and angiogenic network formation provides a window to advance the development of in vitro tissue models and enhance tissue engineering applications. In this study, we leveraged a novel microfluidic-based three dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology and alginate-collagen type I (AGC) bioink, to develop a 3D bioprinting strategy to enable the biofabrication of complex angiogenic networks within the 3D structure. These networks were comprised of simian vacuolating virus 40 (SV40) transformed adult rat brain endothelial cell (SV-ARBEC)-laden hydrogel rings. With mechanical properties relevant for vascular tissue engineering applications, these bioprinted constructs formed spontaneous vascular networks, reminiscent of anisotropic tissue-like structures, while retaining high cellular viability. The vascular network formation was accompanied by extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, confirming sequential SV-ARBEC mediated collagen type I fiber deposition and reorganization. Treatment with broad spectrum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor supressed SV-ARBEC angiogenic sprouting, highlighting requirements of ECM remodeling in angiogenic network formation. This novel 3D microfluidic bioprinting technology and biocompatible AGC hydrogel fiber rings supported robust SV-ARBEC angiogenesis and corresponding ECM remodeling, allowing us to present a strategy suitable to advancing applications in vascular research and supporting the further development of disease models, novel testing beds for drug discovery and tissue engineering applications.

For more information, please visit .

Development of an image classification pipeline for atherosclerotic plaques assessment using supervised machine learning

During atherosclerosis, the narrowing of the arterial lumen is observed through the accumulation of bio compounds and the formation of plaque within artery walls. A non-linear optical imaging modality (NLOM), coherent anti-stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy, can be used to image lipid-rich structures commonly found in atherosclerotic plaques. By matching the lipid’s molecular vibrational frequencies (CH bonds), it is possible to map the accumulation of lipid-rich structures without the need for exogenous labelling and/or processing of the samples. CARS allows for the visualization of the morphological features of plaque. In combination with supervised machine learning, CARS-imaged morphological features can be used to characterize the progression of atherosclerotic plaques. 

For more information, please visit .

Bioengineering lungs: An overview of current methods, requirements, and challenges for constructing scaffolds

Chronic respiratory diseases remain a significant health burden worldwide. The only option for individuals with end-stage lung failure remains Lung Transplantation. However, suitable organ donor shortages and immune rejection following transplantation remain a challenge. Since alternative options are urgently required to increase tissue availability for lung transplantation, researchers have been exploring lung bioengineering extensively, to generate functional, transplantable organs and tissue. Additionally, the development of physiologically-relevant artificial tissue models for testing novel therapies also represents an important step toward finding a definite clinical solution for different chronic respiratory diseases. This mini-review aims to highlight some of the most common methodologies used in bioengineering lung scaffolds, as well as the benefits and disadvantages associated with each method in conjunction with the current areas of research devoted to solving some of these challenges in the area of lung bioengineering.