Algify and the University of Trento: a synergistic collaboration towards biomedical innovation

Imagine a world where scientific research no longer depends on the sacrifice of animals but draws its strength from nature itself. This is the goal of Algify, a startup born at the University of Trento. Emerging from the synergy of innovative genius and the power of nature, Algify uses specific compounds extracted from brown algae (known as “alginates”) to revolutionize biomedical research. The project has been shaped by the team led by Dr. Annalisa Tirella, who has been leveraging alginate hydrogels for over a decade to create microphysiological systems for MED-TECH applications. Algify aims to develop new products based on natural materials and green chemistry processes to study biological processes, reduce the use of animals in research, and support sustainable development goals (SDG).

The focus will be on research and innovation conducted at the Department of Industrial Engineering and the BIOtech Center of the University of Trento, utilizing advanced expertise and tools for material characterization, 3D printing, and cell cultures. This collaboration aims to develop in vitro physiological microsystems for organ-specific testing, 3D (bio)printing for regenerative medicine, and advanced natural materials capable of interacting with human cells.

Diseases, tumors, aging, and inflammation cause microscopic alterations in human tissues, leading to macroscopic stiffening that affects cellular behavior. These variations influence cellular responses, as seen in breast cancer, where tissue stiffening is linked to disease progression. Currently, cell culture predominantly occurs on rigid plastic substrates that fail to mimic the natural tissue environment. In vivo studies present ethical and practical limitations, increasing the need for in vitro models with materials that replicate human tissues to better understand pathological mechanisms.

Algify’s objective is to produce high-quality materials for biomedical research and optimize testing methods while reducing the number of animals used. With its approach, Algify promotes a better understanding of biological processes and reduces research costs. Recent studies show that modified alginates replicate the properties of human tissues, including tumors, enabling advanced studies on breast cancer progression and chemotherapy effectiveness based on tissue mechanical properties. These products can improve patients’ quality of life by offering more effective clinical interventions. Furthermore, Algify aims to utilize algae waste to produce biomaterials for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications and packaging solutions for the food industry, leveraging over 100,000 tons of algae processed annually in Europe.

Over the past decade, 3D in vitro models have become essential in biomedical research, utilizing hydrogels that replicate the human tissue environment. Matrigel®, of animal origin, currently dominates 90% of the market, but its unknown and variable composition limits reproducibility and chemical modification. There is thus an increasing need for more precise and reliable in vitro substrates. Algify aims to introduce innovative kits that separate mechanical and biochemical properties, allowing independent regulation to accurately replicate the extracellular matrix characteristics of healthy and diseased human tissues.

In recent years, alginate hydrogels have proven useful for studying cell-extracellular matrix interactions as well as the biochemical and genetic mechanisms of healthy and tumor tissues in in vitro models. Dr. Tirella’s team has used alginate hydrogels to model breast cancer in vitro, measuring clinical indicators to identify patient-specific therapies. Two other groups at the University of Trento are using Algify’s products for mechanobiology studies and organoid growth, with promising results. Currently, these products have a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5, contributing to advancements in molecular biology research and offering new technologies to assess drug effectiveness.

With a revolutionary approach and a strong scientific foundation, Algify is poised to positively impact the biomedical sector, improve patient lives, and open new frontiers in scientific innovation.

©Photos:

Tissue stiffness: Algify

Tumor stiffness: Algify

Team photo (from left to right: Giulia Fredi, Davide Perin, Eugenia Spessot, Annalisa Tirella): Haroon Mahmood