Developing a medium-throughput collagen biomaterial model system

Rubino, Grace Alexandra

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/127477 Copy

Description

Title

Developing a medium-throughput collagen biomaterial model system

Author(s)

Rubino, Grace Alexandra

Issue Date

2024-12-11

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Harley, Brendan

Department of Study

Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Discipline

Chemical Engineering

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

Bone regeneration Collagen scaffold Hydrogel Biomaterial

Abstract

The field of biomedical research has long recognized the need to develop higher order biomaterial model systems for improved disease characterization and translational therapeutic/material progress. There is, however, difficulty in developing these workflows at the scale of conventional two-dimensional cell culture screening systems while simultaneously approaching a level of complexity necessary to consider translation to in vivo animal models. Here, we describe a three-dimensional (3D), in vitro model system to investigate the impact of stromal cell migration from one microenvironment to another at a medium-throughput scale. Importantly, we demonstrate the ability of this workflow to be utilized as a screening tool for collagen-based biomaterial motifs of interest in promoting craniomaxillofacial bone defect repair. As potential next steps in utilization of this model, we probe questions underlying a dual modification of the mechanics and chemistry of a mesh collagen scaffold design for instructing bone regeneration, potential of a collagen scaffold to be drug loaded and quantifying a release profile, and lastly investigate collagen scaffolds in a new disease and cell context for understanding fibroblast mechanobiology. These serve as a preliminary set of materials designs for potential integration into the developed model system. Overall, we explore new routes of creating medium-throughput screening workflows and illuminate new material motifs that inform fundamental and translational biologic questions.

Graduation Semester

2024-12

Type of Resource

Thesis

Handle URL

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/127477

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2024 Grace A. Rubino

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