This session, led by Professor Aline Miller of the University of Manchester, explored the transformative potential of peptide-based biomaterials in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and organoid technology. Professor Miller, a pioneer in peptide self-assembly, shared her journey from polymer science to developing animal-free, tunable peptide hydrogels for 3D cell culture, bioprinting, and translational medicine.
A key theme was the superiority of peptide hydrogels over traditional scaffolds such as collagen and Matrigel. Peptide hydrogels were inherently biocompatible and biodegradable, as they were constructed from natural amino acids. Their chemistry could be precisely controlled, allowing for the tailoring of mechanical and biochemical properties to suit specific cell types and differentiation pathways. This flexibility enabled the creation of three-dimensional environments that closely mimicked the natural extracellular matrix, supporting diverse applications from muscle to neuronal cell cultures.
Professor Miller emphasised the importance of animal-free, chemically defined systems for ethical and reproducible 3D culture platforms. She advocated for synthetic alternatives to animal-derived components, highlighting the benefits for drug discovery pipelines and personalised medicine. By reducing reliance on animal testing, these systems offered more representative human models and supported the development of tailored therapies.
The session also addressed the role of peptide hydrogels in organoid formation, bioprinting, and regenerative interfaces. Their reproducibility, ease of use, and adaptability made them ideal for high-throughput drug screening and scalable tissue models. Innovations in hydrogel design facilitated the transportation and preservation of organoids, further accelerating research and clinical applications.
A panel discussion with experts Valiki Kalodimou, Maryna Panamarova, and Andy Wiranata Wijaya explored challenges such as cost, standardisation, regulatory hurdles, and the integration of AI in regenerative medicine. The panellists advocated for collaboration, transparency, and open data sharing to validate animal-free systems and drive adoption. They highlighted the need for robust traceability and infrastructure to ensure reproducibility and quality in 3D culture platforms.
Looking ahead, Professor Miller and the panel expressed optimism about the momentum behind animal-free innovation, the accessibility of synthetic components, and the opportunities for personalised medicine and ageing populations. The session concluded with a call for the scientific community to embrace ethical, reproducible, and collaborative approaches to advance biomaterials and regenerative engineering.
