Faculty Advisor
Ambady, Sakthikumar
Faculty Advisor
Wen, Qi
Abstract
Tissues in the body are heterogeneous in stiffness, yet there has been little investigation regarding how cells work cooperatively in heterogeneous environments. The mechanical properties of he extracellular matrix can affect cell morphology, proliferation, and differentiation. Polyacrylamide hydrogels with regions of varying stiffness were fabricated to better represent in vivo tumor-like conditions, to study cell behavior, and cell-cell interactions. A method to fabricate hydrogels with uniform thickness and controllable heterogeneity in stiffness was developed. Atomic force microscopy was used to characterize stiffness of the fabricated hydrogels. NIH 3T3 cells were plated on the hydrogels and experimental tests were conducted to quantify cell viability and morphology.
Publisher
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Date Accepted
May 2014
Major
Biomedical Engineering
Project Type
Major Qualifying Project
Copyright Statement
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Accessibility
Unrestricted
Advisor Department
Biomedical Engineering
Advisor Department
Physics