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SOFT TISSUE MECHANICS AND TRANSPORT IN SOLID TUMORS

  • 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/