Collaborative Research: Long Term Spatiotemporal Control to Investigate Dynamics in Xenopus Laevis Embryonic Development

这个合作研究项目将开发一个研究胚胎发育的系统。具体来说，该团队将开发一种系统，用于控制近微观（约1/20英寸）胚胎组织样本的化学环境，例如生物学家经常使用的非洲爪蟾（Xenopus laevis）。通过控制暴露于不同化学物质的组织区域和暴露时间，研究小组可以前所未有地深入了解胚胎发育过程。我们的系统将采用复杂的独立控制五个入口，供应三种不同的流体流。该系统将广泛应用于工程组织复杂化学环境的操纵。交付成果包括：(1)开发能够调节复杂二维和三维流动模式的微流体系统和控制系统，(2)处理不确定动力学的新型控制算法设计方法，以及(3)用于评估对胚胎组织微流体环境控制的荧光生物传感器工具。该项目将为组织工程师提供精确控制化学刺激的工具，这可能有助于创造长期临床应用的新组织。这项工作将结合先前在微加工和磁盘驱动器自动控制中成功实现的技术。这些工具可以用来制造复杂的化学刺激模式，以制造工程组织的生长细胞。我们的研究结果的传播也将为商业和基础科学应用带来更高准确性、可靠性和功能性的新设备。此外，该项目将培养本科生和研究生成为跨学科领域的科学和工业领导者，包括动态系统/控制，生物学，微技术和工程。该团队还将在学业困难的社区接触代表性不足的K-12学生，以建立他们对STEM的知识和兴趣。

This collaborative research project will develop a system for investigating embryonic development. Specifically the team will develop a system for controlling the chemical environment of nearly microscopic (~1/20th of an inch) samples of embryonic tissues, such as from the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis, frequently used by biologists. By controlling the region of the tissue that is exposed to different chemicals, and the time for which it is exposed, the research team can gain unprecedented insight into the embryonic development process. Our system will employ sophisticated independent control of five inlet-ports supplying three different fluidic streams. This system will have a wide range of applications for manipulation of the complex chemical environment of engineered tissues. Deliverables include (1) the development of micro-fluidic systems and control systems capable of regulating complex 2D and 3D flow patterns, (2) a novel control algorithm design methodology for dealing with uncertain dynamics, and (3) fluorescent biosensor tools for evaluating control over the microfluidic environment of embryonic tissues. This project will provide tools for tissue engineers to precisely control chemical stimulation that may be useful for creating new tissues for long term future clinical application. The work will combine techniques that previously have been successfully implemented in microfabrication and automatic control of disk drives. These tools may be used to create complex patterns of chemical stimulation to growing cells for manufacturing of engineered tissues. Dissemination of our results will also lead to new devices with increased accuracies, reliability, and functionality for commercial and basic science applications. In addition, this project will train undergraduate and graduate students to become leaders in science and industry in transdisciplinary fields including dynamic systems/controls, biology, microtechnology, and engineering. The team will also reach out to underrepresented K-12 students in academically challenged neighborhoods to build their knowledge and their interest in STEM.