Forces and relative movement between cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) are crucial to the self‐organization of tissues during development. However, the spatial range over which these dynamics can be controlled in engineering approaches is limited, impeding progress toward the construction of large, structurally mature tissues. Herein, shape‐morphing materials called “kinomorphs” that rationally control the shape and size of multicellular networks are described. Kinomorphs are sheets of ECM that change their shape, size, and density depending on patterns of cell contractility within them. It is shown that these changes can manipulate structure‐forming behaviors of epithelial cells in many spatial locations at once. Kinomorphs are built using a new photolithographic technology to pattern single cells into ECM sheets that are >10× larger than previously described. These patterns are designed to partially mimic the branch geometry of the embryonic kidney epithelial network. Origami‐inspired simulations are then used to predict changes in kinomorph shapes. Last, kinomorph dynamics are shown to provide a centimeter‐scale program that sets specific spatial locations in which ≈50 µm‐diameter epithelial tubules form by cell coalescence and structural maturation. The kinomorphs may significantly advance organ‐scale tissue construction by extending the spatial range of cell self‐organization in emerging model systems such as organoids.

Stem cell-based in vitro models of embryonic development have been established over the last decade. Such model systems recapitulate aspects of gametogenesis, early embryonic development, or organogenesis. They enable experimental approaches that have not been possible previously and have the potential to greatly reduce the number of animals required for research. However, each model system has its own limitations, with certain aspects, such as morphogenesis and spatiotemporal control of cell fate decisions, diverging from the in vivo counterpart. Targeted bioengineering approaches to provide defined instructive external signals or to modulate internal cellular signals could overcome some of these limitations. Here, we present the latest technical developments and discuss how bioengineering can further advance the optimization and external control of stem cell-based embryo-like structures (ELSs). In vitro models combined with sophisticated bioengineering tools will enable an even more in-depth analysis of embryonic development in the future.

Current methods for building tissues usually start with a non-biological blueprint, or rely on self-organization, which does not extend to organ-scales. This has limited the construction of large tissues that simultaneously encode fine-scale cell organization. Here we bridge scales by mimicking developmental dynamics using “kinomorphs”, tissue scaffolds that undergo globally programmed shape and density changes to trigger local self-organization of cells in many locations at once. In this first report, we focus on mimicking the extracellular matrix (ECM) compaction and division into leaflets that occurs in kidney collecting duct development. We start by creating single-cell resolution cell patterns in ECM-mimetic hydrogels that are >10x larger than previously described, by leveraging photo-lithographic technology. These patterns are designed to mimic the branch geometry of the embryonic kidney collecting duct tree. We then predict the shape dynamics of kinomorphs driven by cell contractility-based compaction of the ECM using kinematic origami simulations. We show that these dynamics spur centimeter-scale assembly of structurally mature ~50 μm-diameter epithelial tubules that are locally self-organized, but globally programmed. Our approach prescribes tubule network geometry at ~5x smaller length-scales than currently possible using 3D printing, and at local cell densities comparable to in vivo tissues. Kinomorphs could be used to scaffold and “plumb” arrays of organoids in the future, by guiding the morphogenesis of epithelial networks. Such hybrid globally programmed/locally self-organized tissues address a major gap in our ability to recapitulate organ-scale tissue structure.Significance StatementEngineers are attempting to build tissues that mimic human diseases outside of the body. Although stem cells can be coaxed to form small organoids with a diversity of cell types, they do not properly organize over large distances by themselves. We report a strategy to mimic developmental processes using dynamic materials that attempt to guide a cellular “blueprint” towards a more complex tissue endpoint. We call these materials kinomorphs, combining the Greek kinó (propel, drive) and morfí (form, shape), since they seek to shepherd both the shape and developmental trajectory of cell collectives within them. Kinomorphs could pave the way towards organ-scale synthetic tissues built through a hybrid of engineering and self-organization strategies.