The mechanical characterisation of collagen hydrogel scaffolds for tissue engineering/ regenerative medicine application
| Dates: | 16 May 2013 |
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| Times: | 13:00 - 14:00 |
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| What is it: | Seminar |
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| Organiser: | Institute of Inflammation and Repair |
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| Who is it for: | Adults, Alumni, Current University students, University staff |
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Host: Institute of Inflammation and Repair
Abstract:
Collagen hydrogels seeded with cells are often used in studies of cell-matrix interaction and as scaffolds for tissue replacement therapies. Since the mechanical properties of a substrate are known to affect the behaviour of cells within it, it is essential that effective methods for the mechanical characterisation of collagen-based hydrogel scaffolds be developed.
This talk will initially give a qualitative overview of a variety of theories able to and used to characterise scaffolds in tissue engineering applications. The parameters of each theory will be defined and their physical interpretation described where possible. The advantages and disadvantages of each approach will be discussed.
The talk will culminate with a description of biphasic theory. Recent work at Strathclyde has shown that this theory is able to discriminate between changes in scaffold collagen concentration (0.2% to 0.4%) and between scaffolds with and without fibroblasts, demonstrating that the presence of cells in a collagenous matrix affects its mechanical behaviour. The parameters of this theory, therefore, may also be sensitive to small changes in matrix mechanical properties attributable to variations in the amount of synthesis or degradation of collagen or other macromolecules.
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Lecture Theatre 4
Stopford Building
Manchester
