Creating biological environments by combining polymer science and microfluidics
- Creating biological environments to program stem cell fate
- Modeling the behavior of cells under dynamic conditions
Creating biological environments to program stem cell fate
We explore the potential of micrfofluidics and patterning of polymer surfaces to control growth of stem cells, in order to control their renewal or differentiation along particular cell lineages.
Modeling the behavior of cells under dynamic conditions
We use microgel capsules as "surrogate" (artificial) cells to study their behavior in microchannels that are patterned chemically and topographically. We study the role of adhesion, confinement, and the mechanical properties of microcapsules on the flow behavior.
Representative publications
- Rao et al. The European Mol. Biol. Org. (EMBO) Journal 26, 4744.4755 (2007)
- Bauwens et al. Control of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Colony and Aggregate Size Heterogeneity Influences Differentiation Trajectories. Stem Cells 26, 2300-2310 (2008). Zhu et al. J. Chem. Phys. 127, 034703/1-034703/10 (2007)
- Fiddes, L. et al. Augmenting Microgel Flow via Receptor-Ligand Binding in the Constrained Geometries of Microchannels. Lab Chip 9, 286-290 (2009)
- Fiddes, L. et al. A Circular Cross-Section PDMS Microfluidics System for Replication of Cardiovascular Flow Conditions Biomaterials (on line publication)