Our lab works at the intersection between chemistry, biomedical engineering, and immunology, to create new ways to study the immune system. Students will take on a project of their own in this area.
Our lab is interested in how cells of the immune system are arranged, and how they communicate with each other, especially during inflammatory disease. To study this question, we have invented tiny culture systems that we currently fabricate by advanced 3D printing methods.
Currently, we have a microscale model of the lymph node that is assembled in a hand-made device made from poured silicone rubber. As the process is very manual and not amenable to scaled up fabrication, we need to convert it to a higher throughput method. USOAR students will contribute to this work by helping design a 3D printed version of the device and testing it with the cell cultures. If successful, this work at the intersection of engineering, materials science, and immunology will enable new and better versions of the microscale lymph node, thus advancing the growing field of "organs-on-a-chip."
Students interested in working in our lab should have taken introductory chemistry and biology courses previously, e.g. in high school. Students should be excited to learn new skills, curious, not afraid to ask questions and solve problems, and be able to work as part of a lab community. Students must be prepared to manage their time so that they can actively pursue their research goals during the semester and be in the lab for 10 hr per week.
Students will learn many things on this project:
* 3D drawing (CAD) to create your own 3D structures
* How to operate and trouble-shoot state-of-the art resin 3D printers at the microscale
* Materials science methods of characterizing 3D printed devices
* Working with biomaterials and hydrogels
* Eventually transitioning to working with and analyzing cell cultures
* Biosafety for work with human or animal cells
* Broader context of the field of organs-on-chip and models of the immune system
* How to plan and conduct goal-driven scientific research, analyze data, and communicate results