BME Seminar Series
Presents

Joe Y. Tien, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor,
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Boston University

Engineering Functional Microvessels In Vitro

Friday, February 9, 2007
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
BME Lecture Hall (Room 1041), MR-5

ABSTRACT
We have developed several methods for creating microfluidic gels that can serve as scaffolds for microvascular tissue engineering in vitro. Microvascular constructs that are generated by endothelializing these scaffolds retain the three-dimensional tubular geometry of native vessels, and enable constant lumenal perfusion under controlled conditions. I will describe the synthesis of these constructs and their use in the study of microvascular physiology. In particular, I will discuss the role of microenvironment on endothelial barrier function.