Fmrg: BIO: manufacturing multi-dimensional culture systems with integrated measurement and manipulation technologies

The National Science Foundation's Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences awarded $750,000 on April 15, 2025, under the Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074) to The Research Foundation For The State University Of New York at the University at Albany to develop manufacturable three-dimensional (3D) mammalian cell culture systems with integrated sensing technologies, with completion targeted for March 31, 2029. The primary research deliverables include: (1) conformal microelectrode arrays (MEAs) designed to interrogate neural organoids and scaled transition of these arrays from laboratory prototypes to flexible electronics manufacturing platforms; and (2) photonic-based sensors utilizing DNA aptamers to detect small molecule metabolites within 3D culture environments. The project also emphasizes the integration of photonic hydrogels that simultaneously support neural cell growth while enhancing sensing capabilities to address critical manufacturability challenges in biomanufacturing applications.

In addition to research products, the grant funds workforce development initiatives through partnerships with SUNY Polytechnic Institute's Engineering Technology Program, Hudson Valley Community College, and Bronx Community College to train personnel in device design and fabrication for the biotechnology industry. The award includes a middle school outreach program component demonstrating STEM concepts through robotic systems controlled by neural signals, supporting broader educational impact in life sciences and engineering disciplines.

Abstract

The ability to culture three-dimensional groups of cells while monitoring their characteristics is a critical issue in biomanufacturing. Addressing this issue will improve the study of disease, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine to treat the world?s aging population. This future manufacturing project will fund research to develop new sensing technologies for use in 3D cell cultures using cells from the nervous system. These technologies build on advances in the semiconductor and microelectronics industry. The project will train a new workforce in life sciences and engineering, with a focus on device design and fabrication. The university at albany will partner with suny polytechnic institute?s engineering technology program and community college partners hudson valley community college and bronx community college to develop a skilled workforce able to work in the biotechnology industry. A middle school outreach program will teach students about stem with demonstrations of robotic cars controlled by electrical signals sent from the brain to muscles. The objective of this project is to develop manufacturable 3D mammalian cell culture systems focusing on neural organoids with incorporated sensing technologies. This project looks to address challenges related to: the limits of manufacturability of scaled-down sensing devices, the capacity to introduce photonic and electronic sensing devices in 3D culture systems, and the integration of photonic hydrogels that support cell growth and improve sensing. To address these challenges, the project has the following research objectives: (1) build and test conformal microelectrode arrays (meas) to interrogate neural organoids and transition these conformal meas from lab scale to flexible electronics manufacturing; (2) develop photonic-based sensors to detect small molecule metabolites using DNA aptamers as sensing devices; (3) optimize production of photonic hydrogels for pressure and strain sensing and integration with silicone nitride photonic devices. In parallel with these research activities, this project will engage in workforce development activities consisting of: outreach to middle school summer camps to inform students of career opportunities in manufacturing that integrate life sciences, engineering and human health; technical training combining life science manufacturing, engineering, and device design; and development of novel hands-on curricula for a humanitarian engineering technology minor to benefit engineering technology students through exposure to life-science topics. This project is jointly funded by the division of chemical, bioengineering, environmental, and transport systems, division of civil, mechanical, and manufacturing innovation, and division of engineering education and centers in the directorate for engineering, and the division of molecular and cellular biosciences in the directorate for biological sciences. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are planned for this award.