Supramolecular hydrogels, tissue engineering, 3D cell culture

I am currently working as a PDRA in the group of Prof David Smith on an ESRC funded project titled "Multi-Domain Self-Assembled Gels: From Multi-Component Materials to Spatial and Temporal Control of Multi-Component Biology". This is a joint project with Prof Paul Genever at the Biology Department.

The field of supramolecular biomaterials has seen a wide expansion in the last few years towards functional versatile materials for a broad range of biological applications. In this perspective, achieving spatial and temporal control over gelation offers a unique opportunity to more effectively reproduce the dynamic natural environment of tissues. The fabrication of spatially defined multidomain biomaterials with different properties (e.g. stiffness and porosity) in the different domains allows controlling the release of bioactive molecules in specific gel domains and directing the proliferation, migration and differentiation of cells.

This project focuses on the development of novel patterned multi-domain gels for (i) the controlled release of active ingredients, (ii) the organisation of localised, addressable, conducting pathways and, (iii) spatial and temporal control over stem cell tissue growth and differentiation.