The Midwest PhD Student Speaker Exchange: Alexandra Rutz, Northwestern University

Alexandra Rutz, Northwestern University, will present "Engineering Customizable Hydrogel Inks for 3D Tissue and Organ Printing"

All dates for this event occur in the past.

The James, L035 Auditorium
The James, L035 Auditorium
460 West 10th Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210
United States

Alexandra Rutz, Northwestern University

Title: "Engineering Customizable Hydrogel Inks for 3D Tissue and Organ Printing"      

Abstract:

Despite the rise of tissue engineering, very few clinical products have been developed and commercialized due in part to limitations of existing tissue fabrication technologies. 3D printing, the robotic deposition of filaments according to computer-aided design, has emerged and is expected to revolutionize current manufacturing practices, including those for tissues. Yet, the technology was initially developed with the use of stiff plastics and resins, which are incompatible with biology. Here, I will present two new methods of generating hydrogel "inks" for engineering soft tissues. I will demonstrate how these inks, including those cell-laden, can be customized to tailor material properties (mechanical, chemical, biological) towards specific applications and tissue targets. As well, I will discuss the application of one ink in the design and development of an ovary bioprosthesis, an engineered tissue that closely recapitulates in vivo organ function.

Short Bio:

Ms. Rutz attended the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign for undergraduate and double majored in Chemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology. Her biomaterial interests and interdisciplinary approach took her to Northwestern University where she is pursuing her doctorate in Biomedical Engineering under the advisement of Prof. Ramille Shah.

Event is hosted and sponsored by the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Student Association at Ohio State

Biomedical Engineering Graduate Student Association
Biomedical Engineering Graduate Student Association