EAGER: Building a Framework to Advance Research through Undergraduate Participation: Investigating pH in 3D Tissue Test Systems

提案：1451319 PI：布尔格，卡伦职务：EAGER：通过本科生参与建立一个框架来推进研究：在3D组织测试系统中调查pH值EAGER奖将导致构建复杂三维组织的方法的发展，但也解构组织后使用，以便可以分析组织的每一层。 开发用于组织构建的新技术，其允许组织的容易的逐层解构或分解，这将使研究人员首次询问化学物质的空间梯度的作用，沿着细胞与细胞的接触，如何影响组织内单个细胞的存活和功能，并最终影响整体组织功能。 沿着这一创新的研究项目，PI还将为从事研究的本科生制定新颖的指导策略。 她提出了一些关于融合研究和指导方法的非传统假设，她认为这将导致更多的不同学生留在STEM领域。 利用该奖项的资金，PI旨在开发一种可扩展的融合研究和指导模型，这将对本科生研究和培训产生很大影响，并保留参与此类活动的学生。拟议工作的首要主题是量化和评估pH在组织系统应用中的作用。为此，将开发一种新型的异质3D台式系统来模拟组织工程化乳房和骨。与传统的3D组织系统不同，乳房模型将采用“可剥离”设计的堆叠层，其中每层都具有特定的特征。这种设计也是独特的，因为模型可以很容易地拆开和分析。骨科模型将包含凝胶和陶瓷植骨填充物，并将探索pH值从酸性到碱性的变化范围。乳房模型将包含凝胶和聚合物珠，并将探索中性至酸性范围的pH值变化。在任一模型培养后，将逐层解构系统，并将pH测试液体应用于每张纸上的点。以这种方式，将构建pH图。如果成功的话，堆叠方法将首次允许绘制组织工程系统的内部。 与此同时，PI将建立在以前的少数民族研究经验（REM）计划的基础上，以测试为从事研究的本科生提供批判性思维技能的新方法。 她将使用科学的方法来收集和分析与当前本科研究课程的有效性相关的数据，并以团队为基础的本科研究机会作为通过研究教授批判性思维的手段。本研究的结果将有助于提供指导，以有限的大学资源应适用于提供大规模的研究参与的本科生和最大限度地提高研究成果，同时解决需要提高参与者的批判性思维能力。

Proposal: 1451319PI: Burg, KarenTitle: EAGER: Building a Framework to Advance Research through Undergraduate Participation: Investigating pH in 3D Tissue Test SystemsThis EAGER award will lead to the development of methods for both constructing complex three dimensional tissues, but also deconstructing the tissues after use such that each layer of the tissue can be analyzed. Developing new techniques for tissue construction that allow facile layer by layer deconstruction or dis-assembly of tissues will allow investigators to ask for the first time how the role of spatial gradients of chemicals, along with cell to cell contacts, impacts the survival and function of individual cells within the tissue and eventually overall tissue function. Along with this innovative research program, the PI will also develop novel mentoring strategies for undergraduates engaged in research. She poses some unconventional hypotheses about a fused research and mentoring methodology which she believes will lead to greater retention of diverse students in STEM fields. With funds from this award, the PI aims to develop a scalable model of fused research and mentoring that will potentially have a high impact on undergraduate research and training, and retention of students engaged in such activities.The overarching theme of the proposed work is to quantify and evaluate the role of pH in tissue system applications. To this end, a novel, heterogeneous 3D bench-top system will be developed to model tissue engineered breast and bone. Unlike conventional 3D tissue systems, the breast model will incorporate stacked layers with "peel-able" design, in which each layer has specific characteristics. This design is also unique in that the model may be easily taken apart and analyzed. The orthopedic model will incorporate gel and a ceramic bone graft filler and will explore acidic to basic ranges of pH shift. The breast model will incorporate gel and polymeric beads and will explore neutral to acidic ranges of pH shift. Following culture of either model, the system will be deconstructed, layer by layer, and pH test liquid applied to spots across each paper. In this manner a pH map will be constructed. If successful, the stacking approach will allow, for the first time, mapping of the interior of tissue engineered systems. At the same time the PI will build on a previous Research Experience for Minorities (REM) program to test new methods to provide critical thinking skills to undergraduates engaged in research. She will use a scientific approach to gathering and analyzing data related to the efficacy of current undergraduate research courses and a team-based undergraduate research opportunity as the means to teach critical thinking through research. The results of this study will help provide guidance as to where limited university resources should be applied to provide wide-scale research participation by undergraduates and maximize research results while addressing the need to improve the critical thinking skills of the participants.