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Biomaterial models to investigate skin diseases
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is characterized by itchy, eczematous skin due to a skin barrier defect and hyper-sensitivity to environmental conditions. AD affects 15–30% of children and 2–10% of adults in developed countries making it one of the most common skin
In this project we aim to engineer biomaterials encapsulating skin fibroblasts that provide high control over the properties of the cellular environment and allow us to mimic physicochemical conditions in skin diseases. These materials will be used for the investigation of cell functions in response to mechanical and osmotic stimuli. The biomaterials are engineered based on synthetic polymers decorated with cell-interactive motifs or natural systems based on hydrolyzed proteins from the native extracellular matrix. These systems allow for defined manipulation of mechanical, bioch- emical, and osmotic properties of the external cell conditions.
In this project we aim to engineer biomaterials encapsulating skin fibroblasts that provide high control over the properties of the cellular environment and allow us to mimic physicochemical conditions in skin diseases. These materials will be used for the investigation of cell functions in response to mechanical and osmotic stimuli. The biomaterials are engineered based on synthetic polymers decorated with cell-interactive motifs or natural systems based on hydrolyzed proteins from the native extracellular matrix. These systems allow for defined manipulation of mechanical, bioch- emical, and osmotic properties of the external cell conditions.
Several tasks will be performed by students in their bachelor or master theses:
Material synthesis and characterization
• Functionalization and characterization of synthetic and natural based polymers
• Development of new formulations to tailor bulk hydrogel properties
• Characterization of the bulk properties of the hydrogels through mechanical testing and dynamic rheological analysis
Biological investigation
• Mammalian cell culture, imaging/microscopy
• Cell encapsulation and study of cell function in response to different external conditions
• mRNA and protein extraction from the encapsulated populations
Several tasks will be performed by students in their bachelor or master theses: Material synthesis and characterization • Functionalization and characterization of synthetic and natural based polymers • Development of new formulations to tailor bulk hydrogel properties • Characterization of the bulk properties of the hydrogels through mechanical testing and dynamic rheological analysis Biological investigation • Mammalian cell culture, imaging/microscopy • Cell encapsulation and study of cell function in response to different external conditions • mRNA and protein extraction from the encapsulated populations
Prof. Mark Tibbitt, mtibbitt@ethz.ch
Oksana Dudaryeva, doksana@ethz.ch
ML H 22, Sonneggstrasse 3
Prof. Mark Tibbitt, mtibbitt@ethz.ch Oksana Dudaryeva, doksana@ethz.ch