Vasculata 2025 Sessions

Multi-omics in lung vasculature Vascular homeostasis in the lungs is vital for maintaining the proper function of the pulmonary vascular system, ensuring efficient gas exchange, and preserving the integrity of the alveolar-capillary barrier. The lung microvascular niche components, including cell-cell crosstalk, extracellular matrix (ECM), and hemodynamic forces are all of pivotal importance for regulating endothelial maturation and maintaining tissue homeostasis. Multi-omics technologies have emerged as powerful tools to characterize the complex cellular and molecular landscape of this niche. Leveraging this tool, we previously investigated the cellular heterogeneity in native and bioengineered pulmonary vasculature. We have also developed scRNAseq-based computational tools to profile ligand/receptor interactions in the lung, identifying several native cell-cell crosstalk paracrine factors enriched in human lung microvascular niche that regulate vascular functions. In this talk, I will present our efforts to use multi-omics to improve our understanding of local microenvironmental components in the lung vascular niche in contributing to vascular homeostasis. I will also discuss how these insights can improve the fidelity of in vitro bioengineered vascular systems and inform the development of therapeutic strategies for lung vascular disorders. Attendees will also participate in the hands-on session using scRNAseq-based tools to analyze cell-cell communication within the lung vascular niche. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Yifan Yuan at yyuan@som.umaryland.edu

During the vascular bioprinting workshop we will explore a brief history and survey of current advances in 3D bioprinting, address the utility of 3D printing for vascular medicine, and conduct an in-person demo from model design to fabrication for 3D bioprinting a vascular tissue engineered scaffold. Additional time will be provided to cover questions and application specific utility for attendees research questions.