Dynamic Biomaterial System For Creating Spatiotemporal Mechanical Forces

技术部分：本项目将研究和开发一种新的动态组织工程支架，利用光学波前工程的最新知识，能够产生不同的力类型。这项工作的重点是生产能够利用近红外辐射产生工程时空机械力的支架。这种动态支架系统的制造将采用三管齐下的策略，包括(i)通过图案照明实现局部加热，（ii）通过印迹技术制造的像素化柱状地形扩大表面积，以及（iii）采用碳纳米管加固的工程化梳子状多孔结构。这种动态的细胞播种生态位可以提供在时间和空间上变化的物理力量，以一种以前不可能的方式模仿胚胎发生的某些方面。它将为研究机械力对细胞命运的影响提供一个平台。在这项研究中，机械力对人类胚胎干细胞沿肝细胞谱系分化的影响将首次被研究。非技术部分：所提出的新的动态支架，利用光学波前工程的最新知识，将能够向活细胞提供不同的力。这将有助于提高我们对机械力在组织发育和再生中的作用的认识，从而促进受控干细胞向特定组织和器官的分化。该平台可以扩展为多细胞类型播种在空间预定义区域，以促进干细胞分化。将材料合成、机械表征和光学操作的基础知识应用于生命科学和健康，将扩大材料科学和工程对包括大量西班牙裔和苗族人口在内的加州大学默塞德分校学生群体的吸引力。基层外展将包括(i)通过提供暑期实习机会，鼓励学生通过独立学习或材料顶点设计课程参与这项研究，在全国范围内招募代表性不足的学生，以及（ii）研究生和教师进行公开讲座和互动演示。

Technical Part: This project will investigate and develop a new dynamic tissue engineering scaffold, harnessing state of the art knowledge in optical wave-front engineering, which will be able to produce diverse force types. The work will focus on producing scaffolds that can generate engineered spatiotemporal mechanical forces using near infrared irradiation. The three-pronged strategy that will be used in the fabrication of this dynamic scaffold system consists of (i) localized heating enabled by patterned illumination, (ii) an enlarged surface area resulting from pixelated post topography fabricated by imprinting technology, and (iii) an engineered comb-like porous structure with CNT reinforcement. This dynamic cell-seeding niche can provide physical forces varying in time and space to mimic some aspects of embryogenesis in a manner not previously possible. It will provide a platform for studying the effect of mechanical forces on cell fate. For this study, the effect of mechanical forces on the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells along a hepatocyte lineage will be investigated for the first time.Non-Technical Part: The proposed new dynamic scaffold, harnessing state of the art knowledge in optical wave front engineering, will be able to deliver diverse forces to living cells. It will help to improve our knowledge of the role that mechanical forces play on tissue development and regeneration, thus facilitating controlled stem cell differentiation into specific tissues and organs. The platform can be extended for multiple cell type seeding in spatially predefined regions to facilitate stem cell differentiation. Applying fundamental knowledge of materials synthesis, mechanical characterization, and optical manipulation to life science and health will broaden the appeal of materials science and engineering to the diverse UC Merced student constituency that includes large Hispanic and Hmong populations. The grassroots outreach will include (i) a concerted effort to recruit nationally for underrepresented students by providing summer internship opportunities and encouraging participation in this research through independent study or a Materials Capstone Design course, and (ii) graduate students as well as faculty members giving public lectures and interactive presentations.