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Reproductive Bioengineering

The Reproductive Bioengineering lab is part of the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Maastricht University’s GROW Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, and is working closely together with the MERLN institute.

 Dr. Erik Vrij is a principal investigator at the Positioned at the intersection of multiple disciplines, he fosters strong collaborations between the MERLN institute and the clinic. His pioneering research team focuses on in vitro modelling of early embryonic development, bridging the gap between stem cell models, technology and clinical applications. Using micro-engineered platforms and stem cells, the team has developed novel microphysiological models that replicate key stages of early embryo development, such as post-implantation embryo models, an implantation-on-chip platform and a model for identical monochorionic twin formation. These in vitro models provide distinctive insights into the workings of early embryogenesis and the interplay with maternal tissues during conception, implantation, and placentation. Ultimately, his team aims to improve the safety and efficiency of reproduction and reproductive techniques, including in vitro fertilization and diagnostics. More information on www.vrijlab.org

Keywords

Implantation failure, blastoid, endometrium-on-chip, monochorionic twinning, stem cell-based embryo models, reproductive healthcare

Selected Publications

  • Dorian Luijkx, Asli Ak, Ge Guo, Clemens van Blitterswijk, Stefan Giselbrecht*, Erik Vrij* Monochorionic Twinning in Bioengineered Human Embryo Models. Advanced Materials (2024). https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202313306
  • Vinidhra Shankar, Clemens van Blitterswijk, Erik Vrij*, Stefan Giselbrecht*Automated, High-Throughput Phenotypic Screening and Analysis Platform to Study Pre- and Post-Implantation Morphogenesis in Stem Cell-Derived Embryo-Like Structures Advanced Science (2023) https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202304987
  • Erik Vrij, Yvonne Scholte op Reimer, Laury Roa Fuentes, Isabel Misteli Guerreiro, Viktoria Holzmann, Javier Frias Aldeguer, Giovanni Sestini, Bon-kyoung Koo, Jop Kind, Clemens van Blitterswijk, Nicolas Rivron. A pendulum of induction between the epiblast and extra-embryonic endoderm supports post-implantation progression. Development (2022). https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.192310
  • Erik Vrij, Jeroen Rouwkema, Vanessa LaPointe, Clemens Van Blitterswijk, Roman Truckenmüller and Nicolas Rivron. Directed Assembly and Development of Material-free Tissues with Complex Architectures. Advanced Materials (2016). https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201505723

  • Nicolas C Rivron, Javier Frias-Aldeguer, Erik J Vrij, Jean-Charles Boisset, Jeroen Korving, Roman K Truckenmüller, Alexander van Oudenaarden, Clemens A. van Blitterswijk*, Niels Geijsen*. In vitro generation of blastocyst-like structures from mammalian stem cells. Nature (2018) https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-018-0051-0

 

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