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Project Theme 10: Novel Cytomimetic Biomaterials
Faculty Advisors:
Langrana (MAE), Shreiber (BME), Uhrich (CCB), Yurke (Collaborator, Bell Labs)
Crossdisciplinary Bridging:
Mechanical Engineering, Molecular Biology, Physics, Materials Science
This project builds on our recent work on the use of DNA-based molecular machines. We will develop novel DNA-actuated biohybrid interfaces as model substrates to model cellular substrates of varying mechanical compliance as well as the tensegrity behavior of the cellular cytoskeleton. To this end, we are studying the mechanics of DNA-crosslinked hydrogels, which can be reversibly engineered to resemble the dynamic cytoskeletal organization within a cell (see graphic). In particular, the single stranded DNA crosslinks in a polyacrylamide gel can be stiffened by the introduction of fuel strands, which are oligonucleotides complementary to the crosslink strands. In order to most efficiently unearth the properties of DNA-crosslinked gels and discern the extent to which they are applicable as biomaterials, this project focuses on design, fabrication and characterization of nano-actuatable gels with nano-actuatable compliance. Once these substrates are fully characterized, new families of bioresponsive and bioactuatable interfaces will be developed for tissue enginering via systematic display of cell adhesion molecules.
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| Major Events |
IRIF:Megan Anderson Fri., 12/11 in BME-122, 12-1 pm
Enhanced Survival of Progeny of Neural Stem Cells in Response to Trace Eyeblink Conditioning
IRIF:Andrew LHuillier Thurs., 11/19 in BME-122, 12-1pm
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Mediated Immunosuppression and IDO Metabolites
RESCHEDULED: Bioindustry Ethics Luncheon Part II w/ David Finegold (IGERT Fellows ONLY) 11/5/09
Part II of the Ethics Luncheon will be rescheduled to the Spring semester IRIF schedule.
IRIF:Dr. Debu Banerjee 10/22 in BME-122, 12-1 pm
Therapeutic applications of bone marrrow derived Mesenchmal stem cells
View all major events >>
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| More News |
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Congratulations!
IGERT Fellows Aaron Carlson and Mohamed Sadik took 1st and 3rd place (respectively) in the Poster Presentations at the 3rd Annual NJ Stem Cell Symposium held Thursday, September 24, 2009. Aaron Carlson's poster was titled “3-D Electrospun Polymer Scaffolds Promote Human Embryonic Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Controlled Organization". Mohamed presented “Electroporation-Mediated Molecular Delivery”. Jonathan Davilla took 2nd place with “Identification of Biologically Functional microRNAs in Human ESCs by Ago2 Immunoprecipitation and Sequencing”. The keynote address was delivered by Hakim Djaballah, PhD of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Congratulations to Professor Ki-Bum Lee, Stem Cell IGERT Faculty in Chemistry and Chemical Biology, who is the recipient of the NIH Director’s New Innovator award, 2009.
The NIH Director's New Innovator Award program is designed specifically to support unusually creative early stage investigators with highly innovative research ideas at an early stage of their career.
IGERT fellow wins award:
Congratulations to IGERT fellow Nicole Plourde who was recipient of the 2009 Schering-Plough Innovation Award. She was presented with an awards plaque and a check for $5000 at a ceremony on Thursday, April 16th.
Chris Ricupero featured on Epigenie interview
Follow link here for full interview.
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