Microengineering hydrogels for stem cell bioengineering and tissue regeneration.

The integration of microfabrication technologies with advanced biomaterials has led to the development of powerful tools to control the cellular microenvironment and the microarchitecture of engineered tissue constructs. Here we review this area, with a focus on the work accomplished in our laboratory. In particular, we discuss techniques to develop hydrogel microstructures for controlling cell aggregate formation to regulate stem cell behavior as well as a bottom-up and a top-down microengineering approach to creating biomimic tissue-like structures.

Directed assembly of cell-laden hydrogels for engineering functional tissues.

Tissue engineering aims to develop functionalized tissues for organ replacement or restoration. Biodegradable scaffolds have been used in tissue engineering to support cell growth and maintain mechanical and biological properties of tissue constructs. Ideally cells on these scaffolds adhere, proliferate, and deposit matrix at a rate that is consistent with scaffold degradation.

Surface-modified hyaluronic acid hydrogels to capture endothelial progenitor cells.

A major challenge to the effective treatment of injured cardiovascular tissues is the promotion of endothelialization of damaged tissues and implanted devices. For this reason, there is a need for new biomaterials that promote endothelialization to enhance vascular repair. The goal of this work was to develop antibody-modified polysaccharide-based hydrogels that could selectively capture endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs).