Effects of the Extracellular Matrix in Creating a Hydrogel
Session Number
Project ID: BIO 41
Advisor(s)
Dr. Ali Djalilian; University of Chicago at Illinois
Dr. Ghasem Yazdanpanah; University of Chicago at Illinois
Discipline
Biology
Start Date
22-4-2020 8:50 AM
End Date
22-4-2020 9:05 AM
Abstract
Understanding corneal wounds and their connections to the structure of the eye is often important when determining a treatment plan for the wound. Characteristics of the extracellular matrix, such as tissue function and structure affect the reattachment of tissue and cells contained within this structure. Potential solutions explored during this experiment include different materialled “cushion” to reattach the tissue to the cornea, especially in hydrogel. The survival of epithelial and mesenchymal cells in the cornea were tested with porcine models. To build the hydrogel, tissue was extracted from porcine models and added to solutions to form a hydrogel that cells were able to survive in. Although this testing is a continuous process to receive consistent results, the hydrogel was best formed with 20 mg/mL. Additionally, proliferation assays conducted determined the high survival of primary epithelial cells. Based on the makeup of the gel, the cells’ responses are observed to see the survival of the hydrogel in the eye as a long-lasting treatment. Therefore, testing cells present in the hydrogel, as well as the endurance of the hydrogel models, gives insight into the efficiency of using an external tissue for corneal wounds.
Effects of the Extracellular Matrix in Creating a Hydrogel
Understanding corneal wounds and their connections to the structure of the eye is often important when determining a treatment plan for the wound. Characteristics of the extracellular matrix, such as tissue function and structure affect the reattachment of tissue and cells contained within this structure. Potential solutions explored during this experiment include different materialled “cushion” to reattach the tissue to the cornea, especially in hydrogel. The survival of epithelial and mesenchymal cells in the cornea were tested with porcine models. To build the hydrogel, tissue was extracted from porcine models and added to solutions to form a hydrogel that cells were able to survive in. Although this testing is a continuous process to receive consistent results, the hydrogel was best formed with 20 mg/mL. Additionally, proliferation assays conducted determined the high survival of primary epithelial cells. Based on the makeup of the gel, the cells’ responses are observed to see the survival of the hydrogel in the eye as a long-lasting treatment. Therefore, testing cells present in the hydrogel, as well as the endurance of the hydrogel models, gives insight into the efficiency of using an external tissue for corneal wounds.