Integrated Tissue Engineering Laboratory

 

Description of research

Research activities in the Integrated Tissue Engineering Laboratory (ITEL), under the direction of Dr. Soonjo Kwon, focus on 3D engineered tissues in both static and dynamic environments for the study of tissue development, specific target diseases and toxicity assessment.
 
Specific projects include:
  • Cyclic Equibiaxial Deformation-induced Airway Inflammation and Remodeling: The objective of this project is to study and characterize the molecular mechanism of cyclic equibiaxial deformation-induced airway inflammation and remodeling either in the presence or absence of a pre-existing inflammatory condition.
  • Inhibition of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Induces Phenotypic Reversion in Three-Dimensional Cultures of Malignant Breast Epithelial Cells: Inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a potential method for cancer treatment. Effects of rapamycin (RAP) and other mTOR inhibitors on the reversion of malignant breast epithelial cells cultured in basement membrane extract (BME) are investigated
  • In Vitro Model of Micro-Biomechanics in Breast Tissue: Advanced experimental studies of the biomechanics of three-dimensional (3D) breast tissue cultures are performed in both static and dynamic culture systems. These experimental studies are quantitatively measure the effect of compressive and tensile stresses on the development of luminal epithelial structures using both static and oscillatory mechanical forces that mimic those observed in breast tissues in vivo.
  • Alternative Estimation of Human Exposure to Nano-materials: We are using a three-dimensional in vitro model of the human airway using a co-culture of normal human bronchial epithelial cells and normal human fibroblasts for the health risk assessment of nano-materials on the human respiratory systems. Dynamic monolayer culture systems are also used for the same purpose.
  • Effects of Carbon Nanotube-based Scaffolds on the Proliferation and Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells: carbon nanotube-based scaffolds are utilized to control the growth and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).
  • Enhanced Productivity of Recombinant Protein using Small Molecule Enhancers: New small molecule enhancers are currently investigated.

 

 

Location: Rm 306 in Sant Engineering Innovation Building
Phone: 797-9312

 

 

Figure 1. Breast luminal structure showing in situ tumor growth that exerts compressive and tensional stresses on the basement membrane and adjacent myoepithelium.

Figure 2. Comparison of normal and malignant human breast epithelial cells grown in 2D monolayer and 3D culture matrix. Normal human breast epithelial cells grown in the 3D BME culture form a luminal structure with normal phenotype (images not to scale). (a) Normal human breast epithelial cells in monolayer without BME (2D). (b) Normal human breast epithelial cells in 3D BME with reduced EGF. (c) Normal human breast epithelial cells in 3D BME with EGF. (d) Malignant human breast epithelial cells in 3D BME with reduced EGF. Phenotypic reversion of malignancy can be achieved through RAP exposure on EGF-reduced 3D BME cultures.

Figure 3. Functional analysis of gap junctional intercellular commumincation: Primary hepatocyte (A and D, phase) in co-culture was microinjected with Lucifer Yellow (Green) as indicated by arrow, and showed efficient dye transfer to adjacent hepatocytes in the absence of 18b-GA (B). Exposure of hepatocytes to 100 uM of 18b-GA completely blocked dye transfer (E). Rhodamine-dextran (Red) was used as a control (C and F).
 
Figure 4. The effect of  MWCNTs-collagen  scaffolds on MSCs differentiation. Different types of MWCNT at 10 ppm on the fixed concentration of collagen. * significantly different than day0 control (p<0.05).  # significantly different  than plastic and collagen control at day 16 (p<0.05).
 

Laboratory Instrumentation:

ITEL is equipped with state-of-the art facilities for microscopy, image analyses, cell and tissue culture, static/dynamic co-culture system of human airway, and molecular biological analyses.
ITEL has two tissue culture biosafety cabinets, two waterbaths, three water-jacketed CO2 incubators, two plate reader systems (UV/VIS, fluorescence, and chemiluminescence), two inverted microscopes with digital imaging systems (TE2000-S Nikon Eclipse w/ C-HGFI light source and TS100 Nikon Eclipse), a spectrophotometer (UV/VIS), a fluorometer, a luminometer, a nanoparticle sizer, a Leica cryostat histology slicing section, three ultrasonicators, two refrigerating centriguges, two micro-centrifuges, and a Flexcell cell-stretching device. In addition, the lab has one autoclave, a -80 degree C deep freezer, a liquid nitrogen tank, a chemical fume hood, and all necessary miscellaneous lab items necessary to complete tissue culture work . Molecular biological facilities (e.g., DNA and protein electrophoresis, semi-dry blotting system, Real Time RT-PCR, PROTEAN II IEF, Gel Imaging System, etc.) are also available in the ITEL.