Modelling Tissue Microenvironments in Development and Disease

Dear Colleagues,

The microenvironment within tissues is a dynamic determinant of cell behaviour and tissue function, influencing tissue development, organisation, homeostasis, and disease progression. Understanding the microenvironment is therefore important to recreating complex tissue systems in the laboratory and elucidating the mechanisms that govern tissue repair, pathology, and treatment response for new therapeutic opportunities.

This Special Issue, titled “Modelling Tissue Microenvironments in Development and Disease”, aims to showcase advancements in the field. We invite contributions that employ a range of innovative approaches, including three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems such as self-organising organoids, spheroids, and bioprinted tissues, as well as in silico models.

Key areas of interest include the following:

• The development of novel cell cultures and in silico models that closely mimic healthy and pathological tissue conditions.
• Studies of the roles of different components of the tissue microenvironment, such as the extracellular matrix (ECM), signalling molecules, and physical properties (e.g., mechanical cues), in tissue development and disease progression.
• Application of understanding the tissue microenvironment for drug discovery, toxicology, and regenerative medicine.

By compiling a comprehensive collection of original research articles, reviews, and communications, this Special Issue will serve as a valuable resource for both fundamental/basic and applied research in developmental biology, pathology, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and related disciplines.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Jeremy M. Crook
Dr. Eva Tomaskovic-Crook
Dr. Maryam Alsadat Rad
Dr. Panthipa Suwannakot
Guest Editors

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