/Wraps/wrap09/controls/api/event_system/render has no handler for Purdue Event Documents of type 'Gilbreth Fellowship Research Proposal'

Synthetic 3D Anisotropic Heterogeneous Hydrogels for Novel Joint-on-Chip Platforms

September 10, 2026

Share:

Project Description

This project designs, validates, and applies a novel joint-on-chip platform incorporating physiologically relevant microenvironments and mechanical loading. Physical activity critically affects synovial joint (e.g., knee) health, injury response, pharmacological interventions, and tissue repair and regeneration, driving demand for Novel Approach Methods (NAMs). Current joint-on-chip models fail to replicate the mechanobiology of cartilage and synovial membrane. Neither the depth-dependent microarchitecture of cartilage nor physiological loading of synoviocytes has been achieved in miniaturized systems. To address this, synthetic hydrogels will precisely control depth-dependent architecture for both chondrocytes and synoviocytes under complex mechanical loading, providing a highly tunable 3D cell scaffold. Crosslink density, organization of chains within the network, placement of responsive moieties, and fabrication chemistry can all be independently programmed to recapitulate the biophysical and biochemical attributes of native tissue, including force transmission and enzymatic matrix remodeling. Encapsulation of primary cells in these scaffolds will enable mechanistic studies of cellular responses to loading and pharmacological intervention as regenerative strategies after injury. Drs. Chan (biomedical engineering, biomechanics, preclinical orthopedic models) and Hebner (novel polymeric biomaterials, musculoskeletal tissue engineering) bring complementary expertise. Their shared focus on mechanotransduction in cartilage and synovium uniquely positions an ambitious postdoctoral fellow to advance physiologically relevant joint-on-chip technology.

Start Date

January, 2027

Postdoc Qualifications

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate…
• A Ph.D. in Biomedical, Biomaterial, Chemical Engineering or related field of science and engineering
• Expertise in cell and molecular biology, biomaterials, and biochemistry
• Experience in designing and validating organ-on-chip platforms
• Ability to independently design, conduct, and document experiments
• Critical thinking, curiosity, and creativity in multidisciplinary research
• Effective project and time management, mentorship, leadership, and interpersonal skills
• Strong oral and written communication

The successful candidate will also be responsible for preparing manuscripts for publication, traveling to and presenting research results at scientific meetings, and working with the PI to manage research activities in the lab and train students. Postdocs are also expected to apply for external support and to develop additional independent projects in orthopedic research as part of their training to become independent investigators. 

Co-advisors

Deva Chan, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering (by Courtesy), chand@purdue.edu, engineering.purdue.edu/ChanLab
Tayler Hebner, School of Chemical Engineering, thebner@purdue.edu, www.hebnerlab.com

Bibliography

Pendyala M, Woods PS, Brubaker DK, Blaber EA, Schmidt TA, Chan DD. Endogenous production of hyaluronan, PRG4, and cytokines is sensitive to cyclic loading in synoviocytes. PLoS One. 2022;17(12):e0267921. Epub 20221228. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267921. PubMed PMID: 36576921; PMCID: PMC9797074.

Wang J, Chatterjee A, Zigan C, Alborn M, Chan DD, Chortos A. Pneumatic Non-Equibiaxial Cell Stretching Device With Live-Cell Imaging. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 2023;PP. Epub 20230925. doi: 10.1109/TBME.2023.3319013. PubMed PMID: 37747858.

Zigan C, Benito Alston C, Chatterjee A, Solorio L, Chan DD. Characterization of Composite Agarose-Collagen Hydrogels for Chondrocyte Culture. Ann Biomed Eng. 2024. Epub 20240914. doi: 10.1007/s10439-024-03613-x. PubMed PMID: 39277549.

March A, Hebner TS, Choe R, Benoit DSW. Leveraging the predictive power of a 3D in vitro vascularization screening assay for hydrogel-based tissue-engineered periosteum allograft healing. Biomater Adv. 2025;169:214187. Epub 20250115. doi: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2025.214187. PubMed PMID: 39827700; PMCID: PMC11815559.

Hebner TS, Genc DE, Benoit DSW. Recapitulating the Native Tendon Environment in a Synthetic 3D Anisotropic Hydrogel as an Engineered Extracellular Matrix. ACS Appl Bio Mater. 2026;9(4):2282–93. Epub 20260204. doi: 10.1021/acsabm.5c02408. PubMed PMID: 41637130; PMCID: PMC12880621.