BRIGE: Biomedical Applications of High Internal Phase Emulsions

0926824Cosgriff-Hernandez该奖项由2009年美国复苏和再投资法案(公法111-5)资助。“项目摘要：我们建议生产可生物降解并可使用高内相乳液(HIPE)注射的高孔率骨支架。目前的制造技术可以用来产生多孔支架或可注射支架。一种可注射并可原位固化至适当机械强度的高度多孔支架将代表着骨科组织工程的重大进步。这一创新的制造平台将提供对架构的特殊控制，可用于调整支架属性以增强组织再生。有限数量的研究已经证明了聚HIPE作为支架的潜力；然而，这些研究中使用的合成路线限制了候选支架的生物相容性、生物降解性或可注射性。我们建议使用一种基于多功能聚酯加成反应的全新合成设计，以充分利用聚HIPE支架的全部潜力。此外，我们将利用分子疏水性预测软件来确定组成化学和支架结构之间的关系，这将使聚HIPE支架的合理设计成为可能。智力优势：这些研究将为乳液模板在广泛的生物医学应用中的应用提供概念验证和设计策略。技术：完成拟议的任务将产生高孔率的支架，这种支架既可生物降解，又可使用乳液模板注射。一种可注射并可原位固化至适当机械强度的高度多孔支架将代表着骨科组织工程的重大进步。基础：对这些支架的系统研究将描绘出分子疏水性、粘度和表面活性剂对HIPE的形成和所产生的泡沫的结构的单独影响。基于成分和工艺变量预测泡沫结构的能力是合理设计组织工程支架的关键。在更大的范围内，这项研究中开发的预测模型和方法也适用于其他临床专业，在这些专业中，高孔率泡沫在改善患者护理方面表现出了希望(例如伤口敷料、血管内介入、固定设备)。广泛的影响：这项创新研究计划的每个层面都将编织广泛的教育和推广活动，以满足国家需要增加未被充分代表的群体在科学和工程劳动力中的参与。这一综合教育和外联平台将侧重于加强工程领域妇女和少数群体的招聘、留住和晋升的战略。与少数族裔服务机构的合作活动，以及继续参与德克萨斯A&A；M LSAMP计划，将为代表不足的群体创造参与创新研究的新机会。拟议的研究将使组织工程学在技术和基础上取得进展，同时培训这些学生从事工程职业，并向他们灌输对多样性的承诺。该研究项目将用于培养学生的批判性思维，并使学生掌握最先进的化学、聚合物科学和工程实验技能。此外，报告、论文、手稿起草、每周小组会议上的发言以及在区域和国家会议上发言的机会将培养有效的沟通技能。最后，这项研究的原则和结果将被纳入到PI教授的课程中，以教育学生并鼓励他们对生物医学研究的兴趣。

0926824Cosgriff-HernandezThis award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5)."PROJECT SUMMARY: We propose to generate high porosity bone scaffolds that are bothbiodegradable and injectable using high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs). Current fabrication techniques can be used to generate either a porous scaffold or an injectable scaffold. A highly porous scaffold that is injectable and cures in situ to suitable mechanical strength will represent a significant advancement in orthopaedic tissue engineering. This innovative fabrication platform will provide exceptional control over the architecture, which can be utilized to tune scaffold properties to enhance tissue regeneration. A limited number of studies have demonstrated the potential of polyHIPEs as scaffolds; however, the synthetic routes used in these studies limited the biocompatibility, biodegradability, or injectability of the candidate scaffolds. We propose to use an entirely new synthetic design based on addition reactions of multifunctional polyesters to harness the full potential of the polyHIPE scaffolds. Furthermore, we will utilize molecular hydrophobicity prediction software to identify relationships between compositional chemistry and scaffold architecture that will enable rationale design of polyHIPE scaffolds.Intellectual Merit: These studies will provide the proof-of-concept and design strategies for theapplication of emulsion templating in a wide range of biomedical applications. Technical: Completion of the proposed Tasks will generate high porosity scaffolds that are both biodegradable and injectable using emulsion templating. A highly porous scaffold that is injectable and cures in situ to suitable mechanical strength will represent a significant advancement in orthopaedic tissue engineering. Fundamental: Systematic study of these scaffolds will delineate the individual effects of molecular hydrophobicity, viscosity, and surfactant on HIPE formation and architecture of the resulting foam. The ability to predict foam architecture based on compositional and processing variables is critical in rational design of tissue engineering scaffolds. On a grander scale, the predictive models and methodology developed in this research are applicable to other clinical specialties in which high porosity foams show promise in improving patient care (e.g. wound dressings, endovascular intervention, fixation devices).Broader Impacts: Broad educational and outreach activities will be woven through every level of this innovative research program to address the national need to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in the scientific and engineering workforce. This integrated educational and outreach platform will focus on strategies that enhance recruitment, retention and promotion of women and minorities in engineering. Collaborative activities with a minority serving institution in conjunction with continued involvement with the Texas A&M LSAMP program will create new opportunities for underrepresented groups to participate in innovative research. The proposed studies will enable technical and fundamental advances in tissue engineering while training these students for engineering careers and instilling a commitment to diversity. The research program will be used to foster critical thinking and equip students with state-of-the-art experimental skills in chemistry, polymer science and engineering. In addition,reports, theses, manuscript drafting, presentations at weekly group meetings, and opportunities to present at regional and national meetings will foster effective communication skills. Finally, the principles and results of this research will be incorporated into courses taught by the PI to educate students and encourage interest in biomedical research.