Lecture 20: Engineering tissues & organs

A technique that utilizes electrospinning to create 3D scaffolds from biomaterials like polycaprolactone (PCL) for tissue regeneration.

A type of scaffold that is created using MEW, often mimicking the natural structure of bone tissue.

The process of depositing fibers at different angles to create specific patterns or structures on a scaffold.

A type of hydrogel used in cancer research. It mimics the environment of living tissues, allowing for the study of cancer cells in 3D.

Molecule sequences that can be added to PEG-based hydrogels to modify their properties, such as stiffness and binding sites.

A synthetic polymer widely used in biomaterials and drug delivery. It forms hydrogels that are stable, non-adhesive, biocompatible, and easily eliminated from the body.

A chemical process used to create strong connections between PEG molecules, forming a stable hydrogel network.

The ability of PEG hydrogels to avoid sticking to cells and proteins, making them ideal for biomedical applications.

The ability of PEG hydrogels to be broken down and safely removed from the body, enhancing their biocompatibility.

The process of attaching specific molecules or functionalities onto PEG hydrogels to tailor their properties for various applications.

A class of synthetic molecules that self-assemble into nanostructures, often used in biomaterials and tissue engineering.

The ability of PAs to be modified with specific sequences to create different structures and functionalities.

The spontaneous organization of single components into an ordered structure without human intervention.

Tiny spheres formed by molecules that have both a water-loving (hydrophilic) and a water-hating (hydrophobic) part.

Groups of proteins that work together to perform a specific function in a cell.

Thin, flexible barriers that enclose cells and control what enters and exits.

A 3D, gel-like structure formed by self-assembling peptide amphiphiles, used to mimic the environment of tumors.

Long, thin fibers that act as a scaffold for cells in the tumor model.

Molecules that can bind to cells and help them attach to the scaffold.

The process of testing how different drugs affect tumor cells in the model.

Analyzing how different components of the tumor model assemble and interact with each other.

The process where a dry, water-absorbing material absorbs water, causing it to expand in size.

Water molecules that directly bind to the hydrophilic groups within the hydrogel material.

Water molecules that are attracted to the hydrophobic groups exposed due to hydrogel swelling.

The pressure that drives water uptake into the hydrogel, caused by the difference in solute concentration between the hydrogel and its surroundings.

The maximum swelling a hydrogel can achieve when the opposing forces of water uptake and network chain extension balance out.

The ability of a hydrogel to allow molecules to move through its structure.

The amount of light that can pass through a hydrogel, which can be influenced by swelling.

The material's stiffness, flexibility, and strength, which are all affected by swelling.

A specific type of hydrogel material that responds to changes in acidity (pH).

Using a pH-sensitive hydrogel to control the release of a drug at specific locations in the body based on different pH levels.

A process where a hydrogel absorbs water, expands in size, and releases a drug in specific environments, like the stomach or intestines.

The breakdown of a hydrogel into smaller pieces over time.

The parts of a hydrogel that can be broken down, such as the main structure, the links holding it together, or the attached chemical groups.

How fast a hydrogel breaks down depends on the type of breakdown process, the chemical bonds involved, and whether other substances are involved.

The breakdown of a hydrogel in a laboratory setting, often using controlled conditions.

The breakdown of a hydrogel in a living organism, like a body.

Making a hydrogel break down on demand using external triggers like light or physical force, allowing control over when and where it happens.

A type of hydrogel where the breakdown is programmed into its design, making it break down at a specific rate.

A type of hydrogel where breakdown is triggered by cells, allowing the hydrogel to change as cells interact with it.

The ability to design hydrogels that break down in a controlled way, either on their own or by external factors, allowing for specific applications.