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Integration Courses
BIOE321 - Cellular Engineering
BIOE425 - Pharmaceutical Engineering
BIOE464 - Extracellular Matrix
BIOE592 - Sensory Neuroengineering

 

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BIOE321 - Cellular Engineering

PROJECT

A design and analysis project is required of all students. The project's topic is on cytomechanics. Students are divided into project teams. As a prelude to the project, students compare different cytomechanical experiments reported in the literature, and provide a written report on strengths and weaknesses. In terms of grading, the comparison report is weighted as a homework. The comparison report helps students with their design project. For the project, a written report and an oral presentation are required. The project counts for 25% of the final grade. Personnel from the Cain Project participate in both aspects of the term project. Coaching is provided ahead of the presentation. Many students are video-taped prior to their project final presentation.

Example of mini project

The design project in this course will focus on the application of techniques used to measure cytomechanical properties of single cells. These techniques include:

  • Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
  • Cytodetacher
  • Cytoindenter
  • Magnetic Tweezers
  • Optical Tweezers
  • Micropipette Aspiration

Students will work in teams of five on the final project where one of these techniques is incorporated into an experimental design. For the mini-project each group member is to select a different topic from the above list and write a summary of the technique.

Requirements for the report:

  • Explanation of the technique, how it works, and what it measures
  • Explanation of any mathematical models involved
  • Discuss any calibration procedures
  • Highlight applications of the technique
  • Give advantages and disadvantages of the technique
  • Use at least 3 references
  • Please no more than 6 pages.

Recommended References:

  • Athanasiou, K.A., Thoma, B.S., et al. "Development of the cytodetachment technique to quantify mechanical adhesiveness of the single cell." Biomaterials. 1999. 20: 2405-2415.
  • Koay, E.J., Shieh, A.C., and Athanasiou, K.A. "Creep indentation of single cells." Transactions of the ASME. 2003. 125: 334-341.
  • Bausch, A.R., Moller, W., et al. "Measurement of local viscoelasticity and forces in living cells by magnetic tweezers." Biophys J. 1999. 76: 573-9.
  • Emad, A.H., Heinz, W.F., et al. "Relative microelastic mapping of living cells by atomic force microscopy." Biophys J. 1998. 74(3): 1564-78.
  • Hochmuth, R.M. "Micropippeter aspiration of living cells." J Biomech. 1999. 33(1):15-22
  • Huang, W., Anvari, B. et al. "Temporal effects of cell adhesion on mechanical characteristics of the single chondrocyte." 2003. 21(1): 88-95.

 

Example of project

Overview :
As you have learned from researching specific cytomechanical measurement techniques, a cell's mechanical properties are very important in determining in how it will interact with its environment. Tissue engineers often attempt to create polymer constructs that will promote optimal cellular attachment for the tissue of interest. Your goal for this project is to work with your team to devise an experiment that will allow you to test a polymer for its interactions with cells of a certain tissue. You may choose any tissue that you feel has a need for regeneration. The polymer not does need to be an actual polymer, rather it should be one that has properties you feel are important for your tissue. Think about properties of surfaces that are conducive to cellular attachment (i.e. roughness, hydrophobicity, adhesion peptides, etc). Considering the mechanical properties that are important in your tissue, you should chose ONE cytomechanical technique that members of your group have researched to evaluate your construct.

Project Sketch: This is not required, nor will it be graded. If you would like input on your team's idea you can email me a one page project sketch on Monday, November 10 th and I will give you some feedback.

Written Report: Friday, November 21 st at the beginning of class. Your report should be 15-20 pages, double spaced, including references.

Oral Presentation: On November 17 th , 19 th , and 21 st we will have group presentations of the projects. Each presentation should be no longer than 10 minutes. There will be a Question and Answer period following each presentation. Groups will randomly select presentation dates in class in Monday, November 3rd .

 

Written Report
Considerations for the report :
- What functions does your tissue provide and how will your construct provide these?
- What will you use as success criteria for your construct?
- Why did you select your specific technique?
- What specific modifications will need to be made to your evaluation technique to accommodate your tissue/cell type?

Requirements for the report :
- Overview: Explain your topic and basic research plan
- Hypothesis: What do you expect to see as your end results?
- Experimental set-up:

- calibration, validation
- schematic of set-up
- description of components/devices
- Mathematical models:
- principles behind the equations
- definition of variables
- Experimental design:
- overview
- description of cells, materials, surfaces, polymer, culture conditions, etc
- description of variables tested and controls used
- timeline
- possible difficulties and proposed alternatives
- Data analysis (you don't need actual data, just show hypothetical results)
- analysis of "results" (graphs, if applicable, will be helpful here)
- statistical analysis (briefly, what would you use to determine significance?)
- Conclusions and Future Studies
- References

***Please note:

For the written report please type your equations (Microsoft Word has a specific tool for this) and number them. Please also cite your references in your paper.

 

Project Presentations

You should prepare a Powerpoint presentation that gives an overview of your experimental design. Besides being graded on the material you present, you will also be evaluated on the quality of your presentation (visuals, clarity of speakers, eye contact, Q/A, etc). Please choose two members of your team to present.

For the presentation you should include:

- Overview of tissue of choice
- Why you chose this tissue (why is there a need to regenerate it?)
- What cytomechanical method you chose and why
- Description of your ideal polymer
- An overview of your experimental set-up
- An overview of your "results"
- Explanation of your results
- Allow several minutes at the end for a question and answer period

You are not limited to the above topics for your presentation and they do not need to be in this order. You may incorporate them as you see fit.

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