March 20, 2025 – 10:30 am – Wu and Chen Auditorium
Professor, Biomedical Engineering – Duke University
“From Soft Microparticle Assembles to MAP Scaffolds”
Abstract: Particle assemblies form interconnected pockets of empty space that are hot spots for activity in many applications and natural phenomenon that deal with particulate matter. In my lab we explore the use of interlinked soft microparticle assemblies as scaffolds for cell culture in vitro and to promote regenerative wound healing in vivo. The open space that is created by these soft microparticle assemblies can be engineered to guide cellular behavior through restricting the space occupied by cells by modulating particle size, changing the chemical composition of the open space, and activating the cells with soluble factors. Using these approaches, we have studied the role of open space on macrophage polarization, neuroprogenitor cell growth, and vascular morphogenesis. Injection of these materials into wounds result in the local modulation of immune cells that turn the environment towards a reparative environment and leads to scarless healing skin. In this talk, I will discuss our latest results in our creation of soft particle assemblies for biomedical applications.