October 23, 2026 - Dr. Mo Ebrahimkhani, along with members of the Ebrahimkhani Laboratory and collaborators from the University of Pittsburgh Departments of Pathology and Bioengineering, has published a new study in Cell Stem Cell titled “Programmable Apoptosis Circuits Enable Subtractive Engineering of Stem Cell Derived Organoids and Embryoids.” The research introduces an innovative approach to engineering more mature and functional human tissues using programmable genetic circuits.
The study presents a novel strategy called subtractive multicellular engineering, which uses synthetic biology and controlled apoptosis to selectively eliminate unwanted or abnormal cells during tissue development. By mimicking natural cellular quality control mechanisms, the researchers demonstrated that this approach improves tissue maturity in human stem cell derived liver organoids while preserving important structural features.
The investigators also applied this technology to models of early human embryonic development, demonstrating improved tissue organization and formation of the proamniotic cavity. These findings establish a new framework for engineering more accurate and functional human tissue models, with potential applications in developmental biology, disease modeling, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine.
The research represents an important advancement in the development of next generation organoids and highlights the continued integration of synthetic biology, stem cell engineering, and regenerative medicine within the Department of Pathology.
Read the article:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1934590926003796