Developing Anchoring Methods to Generate and Mature 3D-engineered Tissues
Project Description
The field of tissue engineering commonly employs post-like 3D mechanical boundaries as a useful way to give cues to the cells for compacting and remodeling the extracellular matrix. These boundaries and anchoring play a key role since they define the shape of the tissue and report forces tissues generate through their deformations. However, these tissues tend to fail over time due to a lack of adhesion of the tissues to the boundaries, extreme levels of intratissue tension, or high tissue contractility. The overall goal of the project is to develop a scalable anchoring method to generate durable freestanding 3D-engineered tissues, increasing the throughput and longevity.
Mentors
| Chris Chen, PI | M. Cagatay Karakan |
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Research Goals
– Design, model, and fabricate potentially well-plate compatible tissue culture wells and 3D anchors for tissue generation, using 3D printing and PDMS molding techniques
– Perform basic cell culture
– Monitor and analyze tissue remodeling and potential failures over time
-Understand which parameters (e.g. anchoring design, tissue size/shape, boundary stiffness) are the most successful
Learning Goals
-Learning 3D printing and PDMS microfabrication techniques
-Learning mammalian cell culture
-Learning how to do data analysis through ImageJ and MATLAB
-Develop effective scientific communication skills through written reports, research presentations, and discussions
Week 1-2: Lab and lab safety training, software setup and training, literature review
Week 2-5: Working on the designs, learning 3D printing, PDMS microfabrication and cell culture basics
Week 6-8: Start testing tissue generation and monitoring tissue remodeling/failure over time, adjust modify the designs if needed,
Week 9-10: Finalize experiments, data analysis/visualization, poster preparation/presentation.