How does hydrostatic pressure play a role in epithelial cell differentiation?

In this three-part series,we speak with Chen Li, a third-year PhD student in bioengineering at McGill University’s Cellular Microenvironment Design Lab, exploring his cutting-edge research into how environmental influences like pressure affects cells and organoids.

In each episode, we cover:

Part 1
Chen shares his journey from chemical engineering undergrad to tissue engineering researcher, revealing the joys (and maybe some mishaps) of early research life. We discuss his work with epithelial cells and the creative design challenges of creating custom air-liquid interface systems to identify the environmental factors influencing epithelial cell differentiation.

Part 2
We explore the types of sensors Chen and his fellow researchers experiment with to measure pressure, from ultrasonic sensors to soft hydrogel-based eMSG sensors that integrate directly into organoids. He discusses his evolving experimental setups, like 3D-printed vertical tubes for applying hydrostatic pressure, and how these systems revealed key insights.

Part 3
Chen explains the design of a custom microfluidic device that gives access to both the inside and outside of 3D organoids, enabling more accurate physiological pressure modeling. We also discuss his work co-founding LabGiant, a collaborative platform for sharing lab tools and devices, and his vision for a more open-source, accessible future in biomedical research.

So whether you’re curious about the inner workings of organoids, passionate about interdisciplinary science, or interested in the future of lab tech innovation, this series is for you.