Microengineered extracellular matrices (ECMs)
Type I collagen is a major structural biopolymer found in the ECM of native tissue. Cell-ECM interactions reorganize randomly oriented collagen fibers into aligned (anisotropic) domains that extend over sub-millimeter to millimeter length scales. These anisotropic fiber domains can transmit forces, facilitate angiogenesis, and guide cell migration in a process called contact guidance. Our lab has developed a modular, geometry-based microfluidic technique to microengineer 3D collagen-based hydrogels with controlled fiber directionality and tunable multi-scale alignment patterns.
Related Publications
- Controlled collagen fiber alignment and directionality
- Long-range collagen fiber alignment
- Video protocol
- Tumor-mimetic gradients enhance cell migration (in press)
Cells are often exposed to multiple guidance cues in their environment, and our active research questions are focused on understanding how cells prioritize one signal over another. We aim to reveal unexplored hierarchal or cooperative relationships and investigate how they influence directed cell migration.
Modular Microfluidic Systems
We create modular microfluidic systems with a focus on experimental flexibility. Cell culture experiments can be conducted using standard protocols, and additional components such as debubblers, flow modules, and onboard pneumatic control can be seamlessly added or removed as needed.
Our technology design principles are focused on:
- Simple designs that can be used in bioscience or engineering-focused laboratories
- Use of specialized modules to add or remove functionality as needed
- Resource sharing to promote collaborations