US-Switzerland Cooperative Research: Protein Scaffold for Dual Differentiation

这个由塔夫茨大学的David L. Kaplan和瑞士苏黎世联邦理工学院（ETH）的Lorenz Meinel进行的为期三年的美瑞合作研究项目，致力于研究新型蛋白质生物材料基质。目的是将3D真丝生物材料中的蛋白质支架设计结构与药物传递动力学相关联，以控制组织特异性结果。该研究将进一步了解具有独特机械和生物学特性的蛋白质基3D丝生物材料的新家族。研究人员将在体外成体干细胞中利用药物输送系统实现丝生物材料的功能化，旨在分化成骨和软骨谱系。他们将解决药物传递动力学和相关的基质力学性能，以适应骨骼和软骨组织的特殊要求。这将通过优化3D丝支架，控制其孔隙度和药物传递模式来实现。更广泛的影响拟议的研究具有创造用于骨和软骨组织工程以及骨和软骨界面形成的新型生物材料的潜力。教育是一个关键组成部分。美国学生将有机会在涉及材料科学与工程、生物学和化学的多学科项目中进行互动。他们将培养在国际研究环境中取得成功所需的技能。此外，研究的见解将包括在塔夫茨大学和ETH提供的课程和专业讲座中。

0436490KaplanThis three-year US-Switzerland cooperative research project between David L. Kaplan of Tufts University and Lorenz Meinel of the Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich, Switzerland, addresses studies of novel protein biomaterial matrices. The objective is to correlate the protein scaffold design structure in 3D silk biomaterials with drug delivery kinetics to control tissue specific outcomes.Intellectual MeritThe study will further understanding of a new family of protein based 3D silk biomaterials that have unique mechanical and biological properties. The investigators will functionalize silk biomaterials with drug delivery systems in in vitro adult human stem cells aimed at differentiation for bone and cartilage lineages. They will address drug delivery kinetics and associated mechanical properties of the matrices in order to accommodate the specific requirements of both the bone and cartilage tissues. This will be accomplished through optimization of the 3D silk scaffolds, control of their porosity and the mode of drug delivery.Broader ImpactsThe proposed research has potential for creating novel biomaterials for application to bone and cartilage tissue engineering and formation of bone and cartilage interfaces. Education is a key component. U.S. students will have an opportunity to interact in a multidisciplinary program that involves materials science and engineering, biology and chemistry. They will develop the skills needed to succeed in an international research environment. In addition the insights from the research will be included in courses and specialized lectures offered at Tufts University and ETH.