Alvin B. Bello, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

PROFILE

Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Dongguk University, Ilsan Campus, Goyang,
South Korea

Postdoctoral Researcher, Stem Cell Integrative Engineering Laboratory, Dongguk University, Ilsan Campus, Goyang, South Korea

MSc and PhD in Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering
Chung Ang University
Seoul Campus, Seoul
South Korea

BS Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Philippines 

CONTACT

PUBLICATIONS

LABORATORY

  • Translational Stem Cell Engineering Laboratory

Translational Stem Cell Engineering Laboratory

The Translational Stem Cell Engineering Laboratory is dedicated to bridging the gap between basic research and clinical application. Our mission is to translate stem cell discoveries into advanced therapies for tissue repair, replacement, and regeneration, ultimately revolutionizing the medical landscape of the Philippines. We utilize the power of induced pluripotent and adult-derived stem cells, combined with cutting-edge bioengineering techniques.

Research Area

  1. Organoid Technology for Disease Modeling and Drug Development
    Our lab is committed to the “3Rs” of animal research (Reduce, Refine, and Reinforce) by developing human-specific in vitro models. We create three-dimensional organoids from stem cells to provide more predictive and relevant systems for studying disease and testing new drugs, thereby reducing the reliance on animal models. We are currently developing region-specific brain and liver organoids to model various neurological and hepatic diseases.

  2. Sustainable Biomaterials for Stem Cell Culture
    We wanted to harness the Philippines’ rich biodiversity to discover and develop sustainable, cost-effective biomaterials for stem cell culture. We aim to replace expensive, commercially available extracellular matrix proteins with biocompatible alternatives, such as hydrogels derived from local seaweeds or marine food waste. Our research focuses on modifying these natural materials to improve critical cellular mechanisms like attachment, proliferation, and survival.

Selected Publications

Prakash N, Cha Y, Koh WG, Park H, Bello AB*, Lee SH*. Derivation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells through Sequential Presentation of Growth Factors via Gelatin Microparticles in Pluripotent Stem Cell Spheroids. Biomater Res. 2025 Apr 29;29:0184. doi: 10.34133/bmr.0184.

Bello AB, Canlas KKV, Kim D, Park H, Lee SH. Stepwise dual-release microparticles of BMP-4 and SCF in induced pluripotent stem cell spheroids enhance differentiation into hematopoietic stem cells. J Control Release. 2024 Jul;371:386-405. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.06.011. Epub 2024 Jun 8.

Kim J, Kim JS, Kim D, Bello AB, Kim BJ, Cha BH, Lee SH. Therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells from human iPSC-derived teratomas for osteochondral defect regeneration. Bioeng Transl Med. 2023 Nov 29;9(2):e10629. doi: 10.1002/btm2.10629.

Prakash, N., Kim, J., Jeon, J., Bello AB*, Lee SH* Progress and emerging techniques for biomaterial-based derivation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). Biomater Res 27, 31 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40824-023-00371-0

Bello, A.B., Kim, Y., Park, S. et al. Matrilin3/TGFβ3 gelatin microparticles promote chondrogenesis, prevent hypertrophy, and induce paracrine release in MSC spheroid for disc regeneration. npj Regen Med 6, 50 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41536-021-00160-0

Cha BH, Kim JS, Bello A, Lee GH, Kim DH, Kim BJ, Arai Y, Choi B, Park H, Lee SH. Efficient Isolation and Enrichment of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Embryonic Stem Cells by Utilizing the Interaction between Integrin α5β1 and Fibronectin. Adv Sci (Weinh). 2020 Jul 19;7(17):2001365. doi: 10.1002/advs.202001365.

Bello AB, Kim D, Kim D, Park H, Lee SH. Engineering and Functionalization of Gelatin Biomaterials: From Cell Culture to Medical Applications. Tissue Eng Part B Rev. 2020 Apr;26(2):164-180. doi: 10.1089/ten.TEB.2019.0256. Epub 2020 Feb 4.

Bello AB, Park H, Lee SH. Current approaches in biomaterial-based hematopoietic stem cell niches. Acta Biomater. 2018 May;72:1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2018.03.028. Epub 2018 Mar 22.