CAREER: The Utilization of Cell Mechanics and Three-Dimensional Cell Culture Technology to Determine Mechanotransduction Mechanisms during Traumatic Neural Injury

0093830 LaPlaca综合研究和教育职业计划的总体目标是利用基本工程原理（细胞力学和电接口技术）和生物学原理（神经生物学）来优化神经元培养技术，以检查神经病理条件，并创建跨学科的方法来解决问题和推进神经工程领域。 研究部分的最初目标是通过操纵围绕神经元的细胞支持基质，进一步开发大脑信号细胞（神经元）的三维（3-D）培养物。 优化的3-D细胞培养物将用于确定外部物理刺激（从生理到病理/损伤范围）如何从支持基质转导到细胞器。 在这个受控系统中，机械启动的细胞信号的特定机制将被整理出来，以开发细胞阈值和基于机械的药理学干预。 此外，为了测量神经元活性，将3-D微电极引入细胞培养物中。教育工作将与研究活动同时进行，并源于研究项目。本科生将通过以问题为基础的学习课程，了解解决问题的方法和神经生物学与微系统接口的技术方法。 此外，PI还将生物工程实验室原理的研究生课程扩展到可用于本科生研究经验和高中科学教师培训的模块。

0093830LaPlacaThe overall objective of the integrative research and education career plan is to utilize basic engineering principles (cell mechanics and electrical interfacing technology) and biological principles (neurobiology) to optimize neuronal culturing techniques for examining neuropathological conditions and create a interdisciplinary approach to solving problems and advancing the field of neuroengineering. The initial goal of the research component is to further develop three-dimensional (3-D) cultures of the signaling cells of the brain (neurons) by manipulating the cellular support matrix that surrounds the neurons. The optimized 3-D cell cultures will be used to determine how external physical stimuli (from the physiologic to the pathologic/injury range) are transduced from the support matrix to the cellular organelles. In this controlled system, specific mechanisms of mechanically-initiated cell signals will be sorted out in order to develop cellular thresholds and mechanistically-based pharmacologic interventions. In addition, the introduction of 3-D microelectrodes will be incorporated into the cell cultures for purposes of measuring neuronal activity. Educational efforts will be concurrent with the research activities and stem from the research projects. Undergraduate students will be introduced to problem solving and technological approaches in neurobiological interfacing with microsystems through problem-based learning classes. In addition, the PI will expand a graduate course in bioengineering laboratory principles to modules that can be used for undergraduate research experiences and training of high school science teachers.