CAREER: Amyloid-Inspired Self-Assembled Hydrogel Materials for Cell Culture Applications

这项由罗切斯特大学材料研究部生物材料项目颁发的职业奖项是研究氨基酸衍生物在体态下非共价自组装成类聚合物纤维，这种纤维可以诱导水介质的水凝胶。氨基酸衍生纤维的自组装和水凝胶现象之间的关系还知之甚少。该方案的研究目的是阐明低分子氨基酸衍生物自组装和水凝胶的基本结构和功能基础，以促进下一代仿生材料的合理设计。目前水凝胶的发展依赖于经验方法和偶然的发现。基本的第一原则将被应用于创造新的生物相容的细胞生长支架。将探索将这些材料用作再生医学的下一代三维介质。该计划的综合教育目标将侧重于在化学、材料和生物科学相结合的教学和研究实验室环境中提供高级教学。具体地说，将为化学和化学工程的实验室课程开发提供最先进的散装材料流变学分析指导的实验室实验。水凝胶是再生医学中应用的一类重要材料。健康的细胞可以在体外三维水凝胶支架中生长，然后移植到伤口部位，以促进愈合。水凝胶是由溶解在水中的简单分子自发自组装而产生的，没有任何化学或物理干预，是令人兴奋的下一代材料。由于缺乏对解释自组装和水凝胶作用的基本原理的了解，这些类型的水凝胶的发展一直受到阻碍。这项研究的目的是阐明导致简单、廉价的分子形成水凝胶的潜在物理原理，以便开发下一代材料。这项工作有望对材料科学产生深远影响，使生物医学的尖端材料得以创造，从而证明公众的支持是合理的。外联和教育努力将扩大目前在科学领域任职人数不足的群体的参与。这些努力将包括为本科生提供暑期研究体验，以及作为教师代表参加一个新项目--罗切斯特大学暑期研究体验项目，该项目为高中生提供研究体验。

This Career award by the Biomaterials program in the Division of Materials Research to University of Rochester is to study the noncovalent self-assembly of amino acid derivatives into polymer-like fibrils that can induce hydrogelation of the aqueous medium in the bulk state. The relationship between self-assembly and hydrogelation phenomena of amino acid-derived fibrils is poorly understood. The research objective of this proposal is to elucidate the fundamental structural and functional basis for the self-assembly and hydrogelation of low molecular weight amino acid derivatives in order to facilitate the rational design of next-generation biomimetic materials. Current hydrogel development relies on empirical approaches and serendipitous discovery. Fundamental first principles will be applied to the creation of novel biocompatible, scaffolds for the growth of cells. The use of these materials as next-generation, three-dimensional media for regenerative medicine will be explored. The integrated educational goals of this proposal will focus on providing advanced instruction in both teaching and research laboratory environments at the interface of chemistry, materials, and biological sciences. Specifically, laboratory experiments that provide instruction in state-of-the-art rheological analysis of bulk materials will be developed for laboratory courses in chemistry and chemical engineering. Research experiences for undergraduate and high school students will also be provided.Hydrogels are an important class of material for applications in regenerative medicine. Healthy cells can be grown outside the body in three-dimensional hydrogel scaffolds and then implanted to wound sites to facilitate healing. Hydrogels that are created by the spontaneous self-assembly of simple molecules dissolved in water without any chemical or physical intervention represent exciting next-generation materials. The development of these types of hydrogels has been hindered by a lack of understanding concerning the fundamental principles that explain both self-assembly and hydrogelation. The purpose of this research is to elucidate the underlying physical principles that lead to hydrogel formation by simple, inexpensive molecules so that next-generation materials can be developed. This work promises to have far-reaching impacts in materials science that will enable the creation of sophisticated materials for biomedicine, justifying public support. Outreach and education efforts will broaden participation of groups currently underrepresented in science. These efforts will include summer research experiences for undergraduate students and participation as a faculty representative for a new program, the University of Rochester Summer Research Experience program that provides research experiences for high school students.