Emna Ouni

Driven by a passion for biofunctional design, I blend a PhD in medical science with a background in industrial engineering to push the boundaries of tissue engineering. Early in my research, I became acutely aware of a critical challenge: our limited knowledge of the human cell microenvironment—the matrisome/extracellular matrix—constrains efforts to design truly biofunctional systems. This realization compelled me to make biomimetism my mission, focusing on emulating nature’s designs to overcome these limitations. This mission began with reverse bioengineering the human ovary, where I developed tailored methodologies to investigate the proteomics, biomechanics, and architecture of the ovarian matrisome across various life stages, from prepuberty to menopause. This work provided a blueprint for the next generation of bio-inspired, tissue-engineered ovaries, demonstrating the potential of biomimetism—what I consider the “conscious emulation of nature’s genius.” Following the establishment of these reverse-engineering pipelines, I led the development of a patented “High-Throughput and High-Content Device for Tumoroid Development and Drug Screening.” This technology provides precise mechanical and topological control over synthetic scaffolds to create tumor nests, extending functionality by enabling integration with proteins from the parental tumor environment. It offers a powerful model for advancing cancer research and therapeutic screening. Looking ahead, my mission is to broaden this approach to other tissues and organs, blending engineering with foundational research and multidisciplinary innovation. This paradigm shift has the potential not only to improve patient outcomes but also to reduce the time and cost of therapeutic development. Ultimately, these advances bring us closer to a future where precision medicine and regenerative therapies are within reach, delivering personalized care and new possibilities to millions.