| Affiliations: | Stem Research Leadership |
| Project Leader: | Sreekanth Sreekumaran Nair, Ph.D.
Biomedical Engineering |
| Faculty Mentor | Daniel Alge, Ph.D. |
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Meeting Times:
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TBA |
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Team Size:
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3
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| Open Spots: | 0 |
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Special Opportunities:
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Opportunity to learn synthesis and characterization of hydrogels, polymer functionalisation, drug release kinetics, mineralisation studies, mammalian cell culture and differentiation etc. Gain practical lab skills and teamwork experience. Prepare for your future career with hands-on projects and research opportunities, with significant contributions leading to co-authorship on publications or conference presentations. |
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Team Needs:
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A strong interest in pursuing biomedical research is required. Previous research experience in polymeric biomaterials or polymer chemistry is advantageous but not required. Applicants majoring in biomedical engineering, biomedical sciences, materials science and engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, or biology are preferred. This is not required, and students from other departments interested in the research are still encouraged to reach out. |
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Description:
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Biomaterial-assisted tissue engineering is a promising approach to regenerative bone therapy. Among the biomaterials, hydrogels are superior in terms of their ability to absorb water and form a 3D matrix to mimic natural ECM. Granular hydrogels have recently gained importance for the ease of fine-tuning, and inherent ability to promote tissue healing. Their intrinsic porous architecture allows the effective diffusion of signaling molecules and infiltration of cells which is critical for the tissue healing process. The current work focuses on developing microporous annealed particle (MAP) hydrogels that are capable of delivering signaling molecules to activate stem cells at bone defects to augment regeneration. Different material chemistries and engineering strategies are used to effectively integrate biochemical cues into the hydrogel. The study explores the possible combinatorial effects of growth factor mimetic peptides and mineralized microgels incorporated in MAP hydrogels on modulating osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. The outcome of the study hopes to shed light on novel ways of fabricating and modulating granular hydrogels for effective bone tissue regeneration. |