3D-Printed Polymer Scaffolds for Targeted Tissue Regeneration
Biodegradable polymer scaffolds for tissue engineering can be functionalized with specific chemistries to direct desired cellular behavior and matrix formation. These scaffolds are typically modified post-fabrication, which can lead to undesirable changes in scaffold properties.
In addition, most functionalization strategies result in homogeneously distributed chemistries that fail to mimic the anisotropic biochemical organization found in native tissues. To address these challenges, we developed a versatile platform where end-functionalized polymer conjugates are 3D printed into well-defined patterns. The end groups (i.e., peptides, bioorthogonal chemistries) on the conjugate become displayed on the surface during fabrication to generate functionalized scaffolds in a single step without affecting scaffold architecture.
This strategy also enables us to control the spatial organization of multiple chemistries within a continuous construct. This seminar will describe our platform and discuss how we are using this modular approach to fabricate scaffolds to direct osteochondral tissue regeneration.
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Frank Hook Assistant Professor in the Departments of Materials Science and Engineering and Bioengineering
Dr. Lesley Chow is a Frank Hook Assistant Professor jointly appointed in the Departments of Materials Science and Engineering and Bioengineering at Lehigh University. She was recently appointed to the Harold Chambers Junior Professorship in 2019 and received the NSF CAREER Award in 2020. She joined Lehigh following her postdoctoral training at Imperial College London in the Departments of Materials and Bioengineering. She received her B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Florida and her Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Northwestern University.
