3D bone marrow models · silk fibroin · in vitro hematopoiesis
A faithful model of human bone marrow, outside the body
Silk4B's 3D bone marrow models reproduce functional human hematopoiesis in vitro, from stem cells to mature blood cells, for fundamental research, disease modeling, drug discovery, and cell and gene therapy development. Works with cells from model organisms, too.
Our models
Accurate.
Predictive.
Scalable.
Cost Effective.
Silk4B's silk fibroin-based 3D bone marrow models recreate the native marrow niche in vitro for hematology research, disease modeling, drug discovery, and development of cell and gene therapy. Built on more than 20 years of research and validated across peer-reviewed publications, they are used by academic labs and pharmaceutical companies to advance discovery and de-risk their drug pipelines.
Accurate
The models reproduce the physical properties of the bone marrow microenvironment and support hematopoietic stem cell proliferation, differentiation, and maturation into multiple lineages. Models work with both human and mouse cells.
Predictive
By modeling human marrow biology faithfully, Silk4B’s models deliver higher translational value for understanding human biology and drug discovery, both on-target efficacy and off-target safety signals, that in vitro 2D liquid culture and in vivo mouse models can miss.
Scalable
From several thousand to millions of cells per replicate, and from single cell type culture to complex multiple cell type co-culture, the models fit a variety of experiments in throughput and complexity.
Cost-effective
The models are cost effective per experiment compared to conventional methods, letting researchers probe disease biology, mechanism of action, and drug response in depth. Translationally relevant data generated by the models can also save millions of Euros by helping to avoid failed clinical trials based on data from 2D liquid cultures or mouse models that translate poorly to human biology.
Our products
Advanced solutions
for bioengineering and research
Silk-based bioinks and hydrogels for precise 3D bioprinting and tissue engineering. Tunable, reproducible, and fully biocompatible.
SilkInk™
SilkThermo™
SilkTune™
Bioinks & Hydrogel
Silk scaffolds and bioreactors designed for 3D cell growth and controlled perfusion. Reliable tools for dynamic culture systems.
SilkFold™
SilkFold™ Kit
Scaffold
Comprehensive Experiment-as-a-Service solutions delivering reliable, validated, and fast scientific outcomes. Tailored support for research, testing, and product development.
Service
About Us
Made in Europe
We are developing a functionalized bioink that mimics the softness and biocompatibility of human bone marrow with 3D bio-printing to recreate programmable human bone marrow environments where blood cells are produced.
€8m
European Innovation Council Grants
“Science must be visionary, not reactive. At Silk4B, we combine deep experience with nature-inspired design to build sustainable biomedical solutions. Our 3D bone marrow model replaces outdated systems —transforming how we understand and replicate hematopoiesis in the lab.”
Alessandra Balduini
Chief Executive Officer
Frequently
Asked
Questions
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A 3D bone marrow model is an in vitro system that recreates the structure and mechanics of the native bone marrow niche, allowing bone marrow cells to be cultured in conditions closer to the human body than conventional 2D liquid culture. Silk4B's models are built from silk fibroin and are the only models that reproduce the physical softness properties of the bone marrow in vitro. This allows for translationally relevant hematopoietic stem cell proliferation, differentiation, and maturation into multiple lineages in vitro.
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Silk fibroin is a biocompatible protein biomaterial that can be tuned to match the physical properties of the bone marrow microenvironment, including its softness and architecture. This lets Silk4B's models reproduce the critical mechanical and structural cues that marrow cells depend on.
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Researchers use 3D bone marrow models for hematology research, disease modeling, drug discovery, and development of cell and gene therapy development. In drug discovery, 3D bone marrow models can be used to study on-target effects in hematological disorders and off-target toxicity and safety in all other conditions, with particular impact on cancer and neurological drug development where unwanted blood effects are commonly observed.
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3D bone marrow models offer higher translational value than 2D liquid culture which while commonly used, lacks relevant niche interactions, poorly supports stem cell stemness and clonogenic potential, and results in suboptimal maturation and differentiation into blood cell types. Mouse models while valuable, have relevant differences to human biology, leading to failed drug leads in clinical trials, millions in costs without a return, and patients that don’t receive much needed medication. Silk4B’s in vitro 3D bone marrow models faithfully represent in vivo biology, while being cost effective compared to 2D liquid culture and mouse models.