Micro and Nano-mediated 3D Cardiac Tissue Engineering
Abstract
The project envisages to improve the care of battlefield-related cardiac injuries by providing novel methods to design and fabricate 3-D models of cardiac sub-components that would be critical in restoring the function of the heart. We successfully established a rat breeding colony according to IACUC protocols and isolated neonatal rat ventricular myocytes in culture (greater than 80% viability). These cells are being shared among all subgroups for future studies. We examined the effects of substrate stiffness on the beating rate and beating force in embryonic chicken cardiac myocytes. Our results showed that cells cultured on polyacrylamide (PA) substrates had elasticity comparable to that of native myocardium exhibiting the highest beating rate. We also successfully mobilized peripheral blood stem cells and collected large numbers of cells via leukapheresis in the pig model. We are continuing work on the characterization portion of year one Milestone 8. We have synthesized the biodegradable methacrylic alginate (MA) and used it to control the elastic modulus and degradation rate in an independent manner. The hydrogel cross-linked with hydrolytically labile oxidized methacrylic alginate was used as a VEGF-releasing device, which stimulated the capillary blood vessel growth. We also undertook the development of label-free imaging of cell adhesion to surfaces using Distributed Feedback Laser Biosensor (DFBLB) surfaces and related detection instruments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA604732
Entities
People
- Brian Cunningham
- Hyunjoon Kong
- Lawrence B. Schook
- Rashid Bashir
- Taher Saif
Organizations
- University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign