Biomaterials/Tissue Engineering (Pins)
Description of the Research:
Research focused on understanding the interactions between cells and precisely bioengineered scaffolds that modulate cellular functions such as adhesion, migration, proliferation, differentiation and extracellular matrix remodeling. Understanding cell-matrix interactions that regulate wound healing and tissue remodeling will be used to improve the design of tissue engineered analogs for the repair of soft and hard tissue injuries. Research areas include: 1) studies investigating the roles of microfabricated scaffolds on keratinocyte function for tissue engineering of skin 2) development of tissue scaffolds that mimic the microstructural organization and mechanical responsiveness of native tissues 3) development of microfabricated cell culture systems to understand how extracellular matrix molecules regulate epithelial cell growth and differentiation.
Description of Space, Resource, and Specialty Equipment Used:
The Pins Lab in the Biomedical Engineering Department (Salisbury Laboratories, SL 310) is a newly constructed facility that supports tissue culture, biomaterials and tissue engineering research. For culturing primary cell lines and tissue equivalents, Dr. Pins' laboratory is equipped with a Baker SG400 Biological Safety Cabinet, a Fisher Scientific Isotemp tissue culture incubator, a Nikon TS100 phase contrast microscope and a liquid nitrogen cryopreservation system for storing cells. The lab also contains histology facilities including a rotary microtome and equipment for preparing, sectioning, and immunostaining engineered tissue scaffolds. Additionally, this laboratory is equipped with a Nikon Eclipse 400 fluorescent microscope coupled to a "Spot RT" digital camera for performing digital analyses of the fluorescently-labeled cells and histological sections. For preparing engineered scaffolds, Dr. Pins' laboratory space is equipped with a Virtis AdvantageXL lyophilizer (Gardner, NY) as well as standard chemistry facilities to synthesize and process and sterilize biomaterials. The laboratory is also equipped with standard biochemistry facilities such as a chemical fume hood, a microcentrifuge, cold storage (4°C and -20°C), water baths, a pH meter and electrophoresis equipment.
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