Project Description:

Hydrogels and other soft materials are often used as artificial extracellular matrix (ECM) to promote tissue regeneration following injury. However, hydrogels often lack important nano- and microstructured chemical and mechanical cues that are critical to the function of real ECM. Our laboratories are working together to develop artificial ECM that uses unique surface functionalization strategies to embed precisely controlled chemistries that promote desired cellular adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation processes. We know that this strategy is effective in controlling myoblast (muscle) cell adhesion and growth and are exploring impacts on other cell lines. We anticipate that the postdoctoral position will involve work in both nanoscale interface functionalization/characterization and cell culture. Our ultimate goal is to design ultrathin interfacial layers that recapitulate functions of biological basement membranes important in controlling epithelial and endothelial layer growth, driving differentiation, and for interrogating environmental factors that can lead to improved regulation of tissue function.

Start Date:

July 31, 2022

Postdoc Qualifications:

*Highly motivated and independent researcher
*Excellent written and oral communication skills
*Strong publication record
*Eager to join interdisciplinary team that touches on topics in biomedical engineering, chemistry, tissue engineering, and materials science

Co-Advisors:

Luis Solorio, lsolorio@purdue.edu, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, https://engineering.purdue.edu/BME/People/ptProfile?resource_id=158296
https://soloriolab.wixsite.com/tmet

Shelley Claridge, claridge@purdue.edu, Department of Chemistry and Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, https://www.chem.purdue.edu/claridge/
https://www.claridgelab.com/

Bibliography:

1. " Control of C2C12 Murine Myoblast Adhesion and Differentiation by Hierarchically Patterned Elastomeric Surfaces" Willams, L.O.; Libring, S.M.; Davis, T.C.; Miller, A.F.; Calve, S.; Solorio, L.; Claridge, S.A. In preparation.

2. Method for directing cell adhesion and growth using ultrathin striped molecular films on top of polyacrylamide hydrogels. Claridge, S.A.; Arango, J.C.; Solorio, L.; Libring, S. Provisional patent application filed 5 May 2022. Application number 63/338,464.

3. “1-Nanometer-Wide Functional Patterns with a Sub-10-Nanometer Pitch Transferred to an Amorphous Elastomeric Material.” Davis, T.C.; Bechtold, J.O.; Shi, A.; Lang, E.N.; Singh, A.; Claridge, S.A. ACS Nano, 2021, 15, 1426-1435.

4. “High-throughput Magnetic Actuation Platform for Evaluating the Effect of Mechanical Force on 3D Tumor Microenvironment” Enriquez A.; Libring S; Field T.C.; Jimenez J.; Lee T.; Park H.; Satoski D.; Wendt M.K.; Calve S.; Buganza Tepole A.; Solorio L.; Lee H. Advanced Functional Materials, 2021, 31(1)

5. “Engineered Fibrillar Fibronectin Networks as Three-Dimensional Tissue Scaffolds” Jordahl S.; Solorio L.; Neale D.B.; McDermott S.; Jordahl J.H.; Fox A.; Dunlay C.; Xiao A.; Brown M.; Wicha M.; Luker G.D.; Lahann J. Advanced Materials, 2019, 31(46)