The rapid development of in vitro microphysiological and micropathological models has provided a highly physiologically relevant research platform for many relevant fields. The vascular system is an essential component of the human body, serving not only as a conduit for oxygen, nutrients, and metabolic waste, but also participating in the majority of physiological and pathological processes in various ways. In many cases, the involvement of a functional vascular system is also necessary for the proper function of in vitro microphysiological systems. For example, lacking a functional vasculature has been recognized as the one of the major limitation for organoid technology.

Our research group focuses on unveiling the underlying mechanisms of angiogenesis and vasculogenesis with corresponding microfluidic platforms to investigate the effects of various biochemical and mechanical factors on the formation and maintenance of microvascular networks. Based on previous findings, we developed various methods to promote the formation of capillary bed in vitro, particularly organ-specific vascular networks. Additionally, we aim to explore and expand the application of highly physiologically relevant vascularized microphysiological and micropathological models, including vascularized organoid models. We are also committed to developing reliable strategies for pluripotent stem cell differentiation to construct patient-specific vascularized models, providing an ideal research platform for various applications.

Our team leader has a cross-disciplinary background in mechanics, engineering, and biology, with abundant research achievements in the in vitro construction and application of microvascular systems. We have published 14 academic papers, including 8 as the first author or co-author in journals such as Advanced Functional Materials and Biomaterials, and have one US patent.

Our main research focuses include: 
Our research group focuses on the development and application of in vitro microvascular networks, with the following main research directions:
1. Developing corresponding microfluidic platforms to systematically investigate the effects of mechanical factors on the formation and maintenance of vascular systems.
2.Developing various organ-specific vascular networks and expand their applications.
3. Optimizing pluripotent stem cell-endothelial cell differentiation protocols to develop patient-specific vascular network models.
4.Vasculariing organoid models.

Selected publications:

1. Wan Z*, Zhang S*, Zhong AX, Xu L, Coughlin MF, Pavlou G, Shelton SE, Nguyen HT, Hirose S, Kim S, Floryan MA. Transmural Flow Upregulates PD‐L1 Expression in Microvascular Networks. Advanced Science. (2024)
2. Wang L, Xu W, Zhang S, Gundberg GC, Zheng CR, Wan Z, Mustafina K, Caliendo F, Sandt H, Kamm R, Weiss R. Sensing and guiding cell-state transitions by using genetically encoded endoribonuclease-mediated microRNA sensors. Nature Biomedical Engineering. (2024)
3. Zhang S*, Wan Z*, Pavlou G, Zhong AX, Xu L, Kamm RD. Interstitial Flow Promotes the Formation of Functional Microvascular Networks In Vitro through Upregulation of Matrix Metalloproteinase‐2. Advanced Functional Materials. (2022)
4. Hajal C*, Offeddu GS*, Shin Y*, Zhang S, Morozova O, Hickman D, Knutson CG, Kamm RD. Engineered human blood–brain barrier microfluidic model for vascular permeability analyses. Nature Protocols. (2022)
5. Wan Z*, Zhang S*, Zhong AX, Shelton SE, Campisi M, Sundararaman SK, Offeddu GS, Ko E, Ibrahim L, Coughlin MF, Liu T. A robust vasculogenic microfluidic model using human immortalized endothelial cells and Thy1 positive fibroblasts. Biomaterials. (2021)
6. Zhang S, Wan Z, Kamm RD. Vascularized organoids on a chip: strategies for engineering organoids with functional vasculature. Lab on a Chip. (2021)
7. Zhang S, Skinner D, Joshi P, Criado-Hidalgo E, Yeh YT, Lasheras JC, Caffrey CR, Del Alamo JC. Quantifying the mechanics of locomotion of the schistosome pathogen with respect to changes in its physical environment. Journal of the Royal Society Interface. (2019)
8. Zhang S, Guy RD, Lasheras JC, Del Alamo JC. Self-organized mechano-chemical dynamics in amoeboid locomotion of Physarum fragments. Journal of physics D: Applied physics. (2017)
9. Lewis OL, Zhang S*, Guy RD, Del Alamo JC. Coordination of contractility, adhesion and flow in migrating Physarum amoebae. Journal of The Royal Society Interface. (2015)