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Project Theme 8: Studies of Axonal Outgrowth and Interfacial interactions on Micropatterned Cues
This study focuses on developmental and regenerative mechanisms associated with neurite outgrowth, and requires modeling approaches along with experiments for validation. Studies in the Buettner group have examined the role of micropatterned matrix proteins on neurite extension processes. This work will be continued using cocultures of dorsal root ganglia with differentially pre-oriented Schwann cells, on ligands micropatterned on synthetic polymeric substrates. The role of pattern microfeatures, on cellular guidance responsiveness will be examined via time-lapse microscopy and time-series analysis. The experimental aim is to control the rate of axonal outgrowth by optimizing the ligand and/or protein pattern features (i.e., pattern width, pattern depth, interval spacing and adhesivity) as a function of the polymer (e.g., surface tension, polarization and biodegradation). The other major aims to be pursued are to quantitatively test the hypotheses that microscale morphogenesis and spatial targeting of neurites can be captured by a stochastic description. These studies will involve direct numerical simulations of axonal and glial structures that are validated and modified to accord with 3D imaging of neuronal cultures. Expected outcomes include a predictive model for neurite morphogenesis and elucidation of optimal rates of neurite growth, branching and pruning that will ensure that specified targets are successfully approached. The optimization of morphogenetic growth factors on engineered substrates will provide rational approaches to control cellular outgrowth on scaffolds and conduits for nerve regeneration therapies in the future.
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11:45 am - 1 pm, Room CCR-201 (Note: change of location!) awarded 2-year pre-doctoral fellowship from New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research for his research "Immune Targeting using an Engineered Vaccine Delivery System", advised by Professors Martin Yarmush and Edmund Lattime winners of the Best Poster Awards at the Biointerfacial IGERT Symposium on April 11th Congratulations to: Professor Charlie Roth, selected to receive a Warren L. Susman Award for Excellence in Teaching "for his outdstanding service in stimulating and guiding the intellectual development" of Rutgers students; and to Prof. Noshir Langrana, recipient of a Faculty- Scholar Teacher Award, which honors faculty members whose research "informs and adds excitement to their teaching and ...stimulates and informs students' scholarship." 11:45am-1 pm, Room 122, BME Bldg. Friday April 11, 2008; 8:00 am - 1:30 pm; Busch Dining Hall, Rooms A&B. Research Talks & Posters by IGERT Trainees; Plenary Talk by Prof. Scott Diamond, U. Penn; [Agenda and Roster of Talks and Posters] 11:45 am-1 pm, Room 122, BME Bldg. 11:45 am-1:00 pm, Room 122, BME Bldg. Topic: Novel Anionic Block Copolymers for Oligonucleotide Delivery Presenter: Lavanya Peddada, IGERT Trainee Panelists Tim Maguire (Merck & Co.), Eric Novik (Hurel Corp.), and Bala Subramanian (Goldman Sachs) will discuss early career opportunities for graduate students and postdocs in math, science, and engineering. Monday Nov 26; 5:00 - 6:30 pm; Center Hall, Busch Campus Ctr; sign-up required; call Career Services at (732) 445-6127, ext. 0 Topic: The Effects of Substrate Rigidity on Synaptogenesis and Dendrite Branching Speaker: Michelle Previtera, IGERT Trainee Topic: IGERT on Biointerfaces: Milestones Crossed and New Challenges Ahead Presenter: Professor Prabhas Moghe, IGERT Program Director Topic: Relationship of Chemotherapeutic Dose-Response Curves to Cell Cycle Effects Presenter: Salaheldin Hamed, IGERT Graduate Training Fellow All IGERT Trainees are actively working toward publications. Jose Fernandez and Matthew Treiser, Cohort II/III trainees leading with the most crossdisciplinary publications, will receive the 2007 IGERT Scholarly Excellence Awards. Charles Florek and Nicole Plourde deserve honorary mention. Congratulations to IGERT Graduate Trainee Mike Wininger, selected for the NSF's 2007 East Asian Pacific Summer Institute and awarded an internship for stem cell research at the National Taiwan University. was held on October 20, 2006, featuring presentations by all Trainees and Plenary Lecture by Christopher Chen, MD,PhD; U. Penn. [agenda, talks/posters ] Congratulations to our newest Graduate Training Fellows: Lavanya Peddada, Kevin Nikitczuk, Michelle Previtera and Jocie Harris.
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| Rutgers IGERT on Biointerfaces holds Inaugural Celebration and Research Seminars on January 30, 2004 The Fall 2004 class of IGERT Graduate fellows has been announced. To view information about the new fellows, please click here. Rutgers has been awarded the first NIH postdoctoral program in Tissue Engineering. Rutgers to house the first NIH-resource center for polymeric biomaterials. New Undergraduate Research Frontiers Program, ISURF launched June 2004 Rutgers has been awarded its first and New Jersey\'s second IGERT Grant.(Rutgers Media Relations) (Targum Coverage) |