PhD Defence Nataliya Debera | Hybrid supramolecular biomaterials for the design of in vitro models

Hybrid supramolecular biomaterials for the design of in vitro models

Nataliya Debera is a PhD student in the Department of Molecular Nanofabrication. Promotors are prof.dr.ir. P. Jonkheijm and prof.dr. P.C.J.J. Passier from the Faculty of Science & Technology.

Conventional preclinical and in vitro models often fail to reproduce the mechanical and structural complexity of native tissues. Advances in biomaterials, biofabrication, and stem cell technologies have enabled three-dimensional in vitro models that better recapitulate tissue architecture, where precise control over the cellular microenvironment has emerged as a critical regulator of cell behavior.This thesis explores dynamic and tunable hydrogel systems based on supramolecular host–guest interactions to generate controlled mechanical cues for advanced in vitro models. The cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) host macrocycle was employed as a dynamic crosslinker alongside accessible fabrication strategies. Photocrosslinkable alginate derivatives were evaluated for compatibility with low-cost digital light processing (DLP) printing, demonstrating that network chemistry strongly influences architectural fidelity.Combining CB[8]-mediated dynamic interactions with covalent photopolymerization produced hybrid networks with tunable viscoelastic properties. These hydrogels supported long-term cell culture with stable mechanical properties and were incorporated into microfluidic platforms for structured, higher-throughput culture systems. CB[8]-mediated interactions were also exploited to promote hierarchical assembly of collagen-mimetic peptides, illustrating the potential of supramolecular design to construct defined extracellular matrix analogues.Collectively, this work demonstrates how supramolecular material design, covalent photochemistry, and accessible biofabrication can be integrated to generate mechanically defined and structurally controlled in vitro microenvironments, paving the way for predictive and adaptable platforms for biomedical research.