Our research program is based on the integrated and advanced use of tissue engineering system components and is grounded in fundamentals of interfacial science and engineering and SC biology.

 
Encapsulated neuroblastoma cells adhered to the scaffold wall within a macropore.
   Development of Three-dimensional (3D) culture environments
Physiological and pathological vascular remodeling entails production, degradation, and reorganization of the extra cellular matrix (ECM) scaffold of the vessel wall, which plays a critical role in the blood vessel development, growth and biomechanical properties. We are interested in exploring the use of ECM composition on growth and differentiation of embryonic and adult human SCs, with a focus on blood vessel formation. The knowledge gained about key elements of ECM composition needed to support vasculature formation is being used to design scaffolds containing specific elements of those ECM molecules. Cell-scaffold interactions are studied in the context of self renewal, differentiation, and ECM remodeling by the cells. The focus is on the individual and combined effects of parameters that affect vascular differentiation, lineage commitment, and 3D arrangement. Specific environmental demands are used as design requirements for new complex culture systems for vasculature differentiation and regeneration from embryonic and adult SCs.  These studies are expected to greatly enhance our understanding of the role of the ECM in the surrounding microenvironments during vascular differentiation and regeneration.		  
 

Study the role of biophysical regulation during SC self renewal and differentiation
It has become increasingly clear that cells are influenced by spatial domains, structural compositions, and mechanical forces at the micro- and nano-scale. By utilizing microfabrication techniques, we study the effect of contact guidance of SCs. We try to determine the mechanism involved in the contact guidance response of SCs to nanotopographic features.  We further attempt to create SC microenviroments with controlled elasticity. Signaling events that regulate cell-matrix elasticity depending interactions, are explored using genetic and protein microarrays. These studies are expected to have a major impact by elucidating how matrix properties dictate signaling, intracellular interaction, self renewal and differentiation in a defined microenvironment.
Morphological changes of human embryonic stem cell cultured on nanotopogrphic substrate.
 
 
 
Endothelial cells (CD31+)
differentiated from human embryonic
stem cells forming 3D vascular networks.
   Regulation of hypoxia to engineer vascularized scaffolds using stem cells
During development, proliferation and vascular formation occur within hypoxic regions. We are studying the role of hypoxia during vascular differentiation of embryonic and adult human SCs. With the ultimate goal of creating functional, structurally stable vascular networks, scaffolds will be utilized for the 3D assembly of vascular networks. We will combine our findings to engineer vascularized tissue constructs from SCs suitable for functional testing in animal models.