S12PP: Manipulating Cellular Microenvironments

ID：MPS/DMR/BMAT（7623）1202981 PI：Dillen，J. A. ORG：材料研究学会名称：春季2012 MRS研讨会PP：操纵细胞微环境智力优点：细胞微环境通过指导干细胞命运和组织在正常发育中起着至关重要的作用，但它也可能有助于病理过程，如肿瘤进展和转移。 对于解构细胞微环境的跨学科方法的需求正变得越来越广泛，材料科学家和工程师能够很好地促进我们对复杂生物系统的理解。 研讨会将提供当前研究的概述，旨在确定复杂的生物成分如何共同作用以塑造生理结果，并制定操纵这些过程用于临床应用的策略。 这些例子将展示工程原理如何非常适合于推进我们对生物学的理解，以及跨学科研究在解决复杂生物系统方面的力量。 本次研讨会的目标是通过将具有共同生物学兴趣的研究人员聚集在一起，即了解细胞微环境，扩大参与并促进新的互动。 通过包括一个共同的生物学主题，研究人员将获得更广泛的视角，了解不同类型的化学和机械线索影响细胞的方式，以及收集这些信息的技术。 由于将在研讨会上讨论的技术种类繁多，将有许多机会吸引更广泛的材料科学界的兴趣，例如，微流体，纳米材料，聚合物。更广泛的影响：研讨会提供了一个高度互动的计划，促进思想的分享和新的合作发展的机会。 它带来了来自生物和工程界的研究人员的观点，以改善他们之间的沟通，并制定和完善前进的战略。 组织者也非常重视追求NSF的优先事项。 妇女和其他代表性不足的群体是受邀演讲者名单的主要组成部分，以鼓励工程界的多样性。 在16名受邀发言者中，至少有13名是妇女和/或少数民族。 NSF的资金将用于支持两名初级教师，两名博士后学生，四名研究生和两名本科生的出席。

ID: MPS/DMR/BMAT(7623) 1202981 PI: Dillen, J. A. ORG: Materials Research SocietyTitle: Spring 2012 MRS Symposium PP: Manipulating Cellular MicroenvironmentsINTELLECTUAL MERIT: The cellular microenvironment plays a crucial role in normal development by guiding stem-cell fate and tissue organization, but it may also contribute to pathological processes such as tumor progression and metastasis. The need for interdisciplinary approaches for deconstructing the cellular microenvironment is becoming more widely recognized, with materials scientists and engineers well positioned to advance our understanding of complex biological systems. The symposium will provide an overview of current research aimed at determining how complex biological components work together to shape physiological outcomes and to develop strategies for manipulating these processes for clinical applications. These examples will demonstrate how engineering principles are well suited for advancing our understanding of biology and the power of interdisciplinary research for tackling complex biological systems. The goal of this symposium is to expand participation and promote new interactions by bringing together researchers with a common biological interest, namely, understanding cellular microenvironments. By including a common biological theme, researchers will gain a broader perspective of the ways in which different types of chemical and mechanical cues influence cells and the techniques that enable that information to be collected. Due to the variety of techniques that will be discussed within the symposium, there will be numerous opportunities to capture the interest to the broader materials science community, e.g., microfluidics, nanomaterials, polymers. BROADER IMPACTS: The symposium provides a highly interactive program that promotes the sharing of ideas and opportunities for development of new collaborations. It brings to bear the perspectives of researchers from both the biological and engineering communities in order to improve communication between them and to develop and refine strategies for going forward. The organizers have also given significant attention to pursuit of NSF priorities. Women and other underrepresented groups are a predominant component of the invited speaker list in order to encourage diversity within the engineering community. Altogether at least 13 of the 16 invited speakers are women and/or minorities. NSF funds will be used to support the attendance of two junior faculty members, two postdoctoral students, four graduate students, and two undergraduate students.