A novel research project that combines cell biology, electronic circuit fabrication and nanostructured substrates could eventually lead to tissue-engineering advances that enable researchers to grow replacement parts for the human body. By combining their expertise, Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) researchers are developing new materials and fabrication methods leading to nanostructured surfaces they can integrate into biological systems to direct and modulate cell behavior.

Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering Paul Nealey, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Amy Wendt and Professor of Ophthalmology Christopher Murphy are building 1-to-100nm-scale silicon scaffolds on which to grow corneal epithelial cells. These three-dimensional scaffolds mimic the topography of natural basement membranes upon which corneal epithelial cells grow in the body. The team's preliminary evidence shows the scaffold's topography influences the cells' direction and behavior. Until recently, most research in this area focused on the influence of surface chemistry alone.

This fundamental research is significant to tissue engineering. Researchers can apply lessons they learn from corneal epithelial cells to cells throughout the body. The effort involves experts from across the Madison campus, including postdoctoral researchers George Abrams and Xiaomin Yang, PhD student Ana Teixeira, research specialist Sean Campbell, and Ralph Albrecht, an expert in high-resolution surface and cell imaging.

Future studies will include Medical School Professor Paul Bertics, who will supervise investigations that address intracellular signaling pathways involved in translating a biomechanical stimulus delivered at the cell membrane. Pictured: Top row, from left: Campbell, Murphy, Bertics, Nealey. Front row, from left: Abrams, Teixeira.

Photo by Bruce Fritz