- Title of project: Soft Tissue Mechanics of Contracting Cells
- Funding agency (Optional): National Science Foundation
- Description: Tissue engineering and regenerative
medicine hold the promise of rebuilding organs for transplants and
reconstructing diseased tissues. A critical challenge for
tissue engineering is the ability to design them to mimic mechanical
properties of the tissues they replace. Biological cells are not passive
but actively alter their surroundings by reaching out, grabbing onto
the protein-based scaffold around them and contracting. Cell-generated
stresses are an important consideration in human health and disease
because they alter mechanical and failure behavior of tissues. The goal
of this project will be to measure and model the effect of living cells
as they contract and continuously alter mechanical properties of
engineered tissues. Computational bio-composite models that quantify the
contributions of cell contraction to the constitutive response of
engineered tissues will be developed. Consolidated experimental
and modeling results will highlight design differences based on gel,
cell shape, cell density, and cell contraction with the goal of
providing new guidelines for customizing properties of tissues for
healthcare applications. - Restrictions/Constraints: N/A
- Knowledge and skills needed: Students with interest
in mechanics and modeling preferred. Independent thinkers with some
knowledge of biological systems are appreciated. - How to apply: Send an email to Dr. Sarntinoranont with a copy of your CV and statement of interest.
- Faculty contact/webpage: Malisa Sarntinoranont, msarnt@ufl.edu, https://faculty.eng.ufl.edu/soft-tissue-mechanics-drug-delivery/
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