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

该职业奖由罗切斯特大学材料研究部生物材料项目颁发，旨在研究氨基酸衍生物的非共价自组装成聚合物样原纤维，这种原纤维可以诱导水介质在散装状态下的水化。氨基酸原纤维的自组装与水凝胶现象之间的关系尚不清楚。本课题的研究目的是阐明低分子量氨基酸衍生物自组装和水解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。目前的水凝胶开发依赖于经验方法和偶然发现。基本的第一原则将应用于创造新的生物相容性，支架细胞的生长。将这些材料作为下一代三维再生医学介质的使用进行探索。本提案的综合教育目标将集中在化学、材料和生物科学界面的教学和研究实验室环境中提供先进的指导。具体地说，在化学和化学工程的实验课程中，将开发提供最先进的散装材料流变分析指导的实验室实验。还将为本科生和高中生提供研究经验。水凝胶是应用于再生医学的一类重要材料。健康细胞可以在体外的三维水凝胶支架中生长，然后植入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，不需要任何化学或物理干预，它代表了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理解，这些类型的水凝胶的发展受到阻碍。这项研究的目的是阐明通过简单、廉价的分子形成水凝胶的基本物理原理，以便开发下一代材料。这项工作有望对材料科学产生深远的影响，将使生物医学所需的复杂材料的创造成为可能，证明公众的支持是正确的。推广和教育工作将扩大目前在科学领域代表性不足的群体的参与。这些努力将包括为本科生提供暑期研究经验，并作为教师代表参与一个新项目，即罗切斯特大学暑期研究经验项目，为高中生提供研究经验。

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.