Lonnissa Hong Nguyen, B.S., M.S.
Doctoral Candidate
Graduate Research Assistant
Office: BME 5.416
lonnissa@mail.utexas.edu

Research Focus: Evaluation of ECM components in Biodegradable Hydrogels for Multi-lineage Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

In previous studies, only one component, either CS, HA or an MMP-sensitive peptide was incorporated into a single hydrogel network. No prior work explores the effects of combining these components together within a polymer network. We propose to explore the fabrication of a multi-faceted scaffold by combining CS, HA and MMP into a PEG-based hydrogel and study their effects on MSC differentiation into chondrocytes. To accomplish this bone marrow-derived progenitor cells will be encapsulated into a single 3D scaffold environment to model the differentiation into cartilage.

The main objective of this research project is to create a bioactive PEG-based hydrogel scaffold for engineering cartilage by: (a) exploring different biopolymers and their combination to recreate a synthetic ECM that is both bioactive and bioresponsive, (b) integrating an enzymatically degradable peptide into a photocrosslinkable polymer network, and (c) modifying the characteristics of these scaffolds to mimic physiological conditions for optimal cell migration and differentiation. We hypothesize that the incorporation of biopolymers along with the degradable MMP-sensitive peptide into 3D scaffolds will provide an optimal biomimetic environment for the differentiation of MSCs into cartilage, which will degrade by MMP collagenase at the same rate as tissue growth. The ultimate goal of this project is to integrate the most optimal hydrogel composition for the chondrogenic layer with an osteogenic layer established from previous work done in our lab to create a single multi-layered biodegradable scaffold capable of simultaneously differentiating MSCs into both bone and cartilage.