BME Seminar Series: Dr. Chien-Chi Lin, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering

Indiana University Simon Cancer Center

Indiana Center for Diabetes & Metabolic Diseases

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

 

Abstract: 

 

 

Polymeric hydrogels are increasingly used as biomimetic scaffolds for delivering cells and drugs to facilitate tissue regeneration. Hydrogel matrices with defined properties are also highly desirable as platforms for studying cell biology in three-dimension (3D). Over the past few years, my laboratory has focused on designing polymeric hydrogels with controllable biophysical (e.g., stiffness, degradability, permeability, etc.) and biochemical properties (e.g., cell signaling ligands) for a variety of biomedical applications. In particular, we are interested in hydrogels prepared from bioorthogonal ‘photo-click’ chemistry, including thiol-norbornene and thiol-allylether hydrogels that are amenable to both long-wavelength ultraviolet and visible light initiated crosslinking processes. Moreover, we are designing new hydrogels whose viscoelasticity can be dynamically and reversibly controlled. The integration of bioorthogonal chemistry and biomaterials engineering allows us to create highly adaptable matrices, from which to identify individual factors and signals regulating cancer and stem cell fate processes during development and disease progression. In this talk, I will highlight our recent efforts on the development of modular biomimetic hydrogels for modeling pancreatic cancer cell morphogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

 

 

Dr. Chien-Chi Lin is currently an Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). He joined IUPUI in 2010 following after completing postdoctoral training from Prof. Kristi Anseth’s lab at the University of Colorado Boulder. Prior to that, he obtained his PhD degree in Bioengineering at 2007 from Clemson University under the mentorship of Prof. Andrew Metters. Dr. Lin’s research encompasses materials science and engineering, chemistry, and cancer biology. His current research interests are in designing bio-responsive and dynamic hydrogels for studying cancer cell progression. He is also interested in exploring developmentally inspired matrices for promoting stem cell differentiation. He has published more than 60 peer-reviewed articles and 6 book chapters. Dr. Lin has received regional, national, and international awards and honors, including American Institute of Chemists Postdoctoral Award (University of Colorado, 2010), Frontiers in Bioengineering Young Investigator Award (Georgia Tech, 2013), National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2015), and Abraham M. Max Distinguished Professor Award (Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, 2017). In 2015, he was invited to attend the US Frontiers of Engineering Symposium (National Academy of Engineering). From 2016-2018, he served as an Honorary Scientist and Advisor on Agricultural Science & Technology for the Rural Development Administration of the Republic of Korea. Dr. Lin’s research group has been continuously supported by federal agencies since 2011 and has received funding supports from industrial and international partners.