We have been innovating in the field of ‘Microtissue Engineering’, with accomplishment in the theoretical elucidation and technological translation. Microtissue Engineering integrates biomaterials, microfabrication, biophysical and gene editing technologies to engineer and fine-tune the microscale 3D cell or tissue microenvironments, whichprovides innovative and effective tools and solutions for regenerative medicine, drug discovery and pathology study. We focus on1)establishment of stem cell microenvironment, immune cell microenvironment as well as fibrosis pathological microenvironments; 2)the mechanism investigation of cell-cell, cell-matrix interactions and3)their translational applications in regenerative medicine.

Specifically, through theconstruction of 3D stem cell micro-tissue, large-scale/high-quality in vitro stemcell manufacture and minimally invasive, targeted, efficient in vivo delivery andregeneration treatment have been accomplished; meanwhile, the 3D pathological micro-tissuearray technology realized high-throughput and accurate anti-fibrosis drugscreening and evaluation. The new pathological mechanism of cell mechanicalcommunication based on 'paratensile signaling' in the development of tissuefibrosis was discovered. 2patents of micro-tissue engineering have been commercially translated with relatedproducts approved as the first cell pharmaceutical excipients by both China CDE and US FDA.