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Franklin W. Olin, |
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Cell-Biomaterial Interactions Alisha Lilly Sieminski, Ph.D., Professor of Bioengineering,
Presentation
Description: In the body,
tissues can be thought of as being made up of cells, a fluid phase, and the
solid extracellular matrix that gives the tissue its form. Cells within a
tissue can both generate and receive signals from molecules within their
surrounding fluid as well as from the solid matrix support that they interact
with. While the chemical signals provided by soluble molecules have been
extensively studied, our understanding of the chemical and mechanical signals
provided by the extracellular matrix has only begun to be elucidated. Dr.
Sieminski investigates the impact changing the mechanical environment that
cells sense, in combination with changing the biochemical environment, on
cell behavior. The primary tool in this work is a three-dimensional model
system of angiogenesis – the formation of
new blood vessels. Understanding the effects of material properties, and how
the stimulus they provide combine with other stimulus to direct cell
behavior, has implications for not only fundamental cell biology, but also
for cancer and the design of new biomaterials. About the
Speaker: Dr. Alisha Lilly
Sieminski joined Olin after being a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research
Service Award post-doctoral fellow in the Biological Engineering Division at
MIT. She holds a Ph.D. in Bioengineering from the |
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