Christine Pauken, Ph.D., Harrington Department of Bioengineering, Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering

David Capco, Ph.D., School of Life Sciences

Cell Biotechnology: Integrating Modern Cell Biology

and Engineering or “Teaching bioengineers how to play with

cells!”

Cell CultureSome students

start work with their cells in the biosafety cabinets,

While other students listen to a lecture on the finer points of microscopy and taking photos of their cells.

Students learn to make movies of cell migration and mitosis. This also requires that the cells be held at 37°C for up to 18 hours. This is done with a circulating water bath and a specially designed 60 mm dish attachment.

Checking the cells before passaging them into new dishes.

Hey, Professor, aren’t my cells growing nicely!!

Microscope Work

Differential centrifugation to isolate subcellular organelles.

Protein isolation

Spectrophotometric analysis of enzyme activity, cell proliferation,

and protein concentrations

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western

blotting

RT-PCR analysis

Transformation

Immunocytochemistry

Students learn a wide variety of techniques.

Students also have access to devices such as these High Aspect Ratio Vessels (HARV) and to capillary fiber bioreactors to grow cells in a 3D structure.

FULTON s c h o o l o f e n g i n e e r i n g

Student Research Projects

During the second half of the semester, students carry out their own research project. Initially the student must present a short proposal that includes the following:– Background– Hypothesis– Experiments to be done– Materials required– Gantt Chart

FULTON s c h o o l o f e n g i n e e r i n g

Some Student Projects

Electric Field Directed Neurite Extension Growth of PC-12 Cells on an Agarose Gel Doped with the Conductive Polymer Polypyrrole

Effects of Extracellular Matrix on the Growth of Neuroprogenitor Cells

Evaluation of Hyaluronic Acid and Surface Roughness on Type I Collagen Formation on Titanium Implant Surfaces

Development of Tissue Engineered Pericardium on PGA Scaffolds

Preliminary Studies into the Response of F9 and F9 & 3T3 Co-Cultures to Microgravity

Studies on Cell Communication of Cardiomyocytes when grown on the electrically conductive polymer Polypyrrole

FULTON s c h o o l o f e n g i n e e r i n g

Some Student Projects

A mathematical model of control of transcription The Effect of Laminin Peptide on Phenotypic

Modulation in Protein Kinase Expressing Rat Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells

A Preliminary Study of the Effects of Thin Film Hydroxyapatite on an Epithelial Cell, MDCK

Cytotoxicity of N-isopropylacrlamide-co-acrylic acid Copolymers with Varied Acrylic Acid Content and Synthesized in Various Organic Solvents

FULTON s c h o o l o f e n g i n e e r i n g

Student Research Projects

Finally, students have to do both a PowerPoint presentation on their research and a poster for an undergraduate research symposium.