LESS disruptive technologies for advancing decellularization and postprocessing of MORE viable biological materials

The increase of chronic diseases and demand for tissue and organ transplantation is triggering the development of engineered smart matrices and whole organs. Decellularization, the removal of immunogenic cellular material, leaving behind the extracellular matrix (ECM), has become an appealing strategy. However, current protocols are over dependent on harsh chemicals which damage the ECM and its bioactivity and can be extremely time consuming. The possibility of having safe, highly preserved decellularized ECM isan ambitious goal not yet fully accomplished.
LESSisMORE uses the concept of minimalism: to strip everything down to its essential quality while achieving simplicity and function.
This project outlines a complete pipeline for processing biological tissue, proposing pioneer strategies to valorise ECM and increase process efficiency by combining, for the first time, decellularization and sterilization using supercritical CO2 technology.
The processes and products herein developed are expected to be translated into future technologies for advancing the field of tissue and whole organ engineering.