Resilin has remarkable elastic and mechanical properties that can be finely controlled through enzymatic or photochemical crosslinking. Using synthetic resilin-derived peptides, the hydrogels will be crosslinked through visible light or metal-mediated reactions to control stiffness, enabling precise manipulation of cellular environments.  

Athena is evaluating these materials for their ability to support human cell growth, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and tumour-derived cells (e.g. breast cancer, osteosarcoma). Since MSCs differentiate based on matrix stiffness – forming fat, cartilage, or bone depending on rigidity – these gels offer a powerful system to study and guide cell fate decisions. The project will assess cell viability, growth, and phenotype in both well-based and 3D printed formats. 

Further functionality will be introduced by incorporating matrix polymers (e.g. alginate) or cell-signalling motifs during synthesis or crosslinking. This modularity will allow the gels to mimic more complex tissue environments and support the development of human-specific 3D culture models. Ultimately, Athena’s work aims to provide a robust, highly customisable, human-specific and animal-free alternative to traditional cell culture systems, paving the way for next-generation materials in tissue engineering, cancer research, and regenerative medicine.