Seminar Schedule
Mechanical Behavior of Cells on Tissue Engineering Scaffolds
Lorna J. Gibson, Associate Provost
Matoula S. Salapatas Professor on Materials Science and Engineering
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Affiliated with Health Sciences and Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Scaffolds used for regeneration of damaged or diseased tissues in the body often resemble low relative density, open-cell foams; the porous structure allows cells to migrate easily through the scaffold. The solid from which the scaffold is made must be biocompatible, have cell binding sites and degrade at an appropriate rate into non-toxic components. Recently, we have been studying collagen scaffolds designed for regeneration of skin in patients with extensive burns. We have characterized the microstructure and mechanical behavior of the scaffolds. In addition, we have measured the effect of the scaffold microstructure and stiffness on the contractile and migration response of fibroblasts within the scaffold.