Images from the DBG
Micro-contact Printed Valve Interstitial Cells (VICs): Using micro-contact printing techniques, extracellular matrix proteins can be deposited on substrates in custom shapes with micron scale resolution; by controlling ECM shape, pattern, size, etc we can recapitulate native tissue structure and alignment in our in vitro assays. Here is an aligned diamond tissue composed of porcine valve interstitial cells [blue: nucleus, red: vimentin, white: f-actin, green: alpha-SMA]. Photo by Andrew Capulli, Parker Research Group.
What's New
Congratulations to Dr. McCain!! April 28th, 2013
Congratulations to Dr. Megan McCain who has accepted a position as Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Southern California! She will arrive in LA to start building her laboratory at USC in Jan 2014. Congrats to Professor McCain!!
Welcome to the DBG!! April 17th, 2013
Welcome to the DBG!! April 15, 2013
The DBG would like to welcome Roza Mahmoodian, who joins us as a postdoctoral fellow from Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Lab for Material Chemomechanics, under the direction of Professor Krystyn J. Van Vliet. We also welcome Hyojin Ko from Sogang University in Korea as a visiting student. The DBG is excited to have both joining the group! Welcome.
Images from the DBG April 17th, 2013
Ventricular cardiomyocytes from neonatal rats can be cultured on substrates coated with extracellular matrix proteins anisotropically. These cardiomyocytes can grow according to spatial cues provided by proteins attached to a substrate. Soft-lithography allows for customizable, micron-scale protein patterns to be “stamped” onto a substrate. This allows for building tissues that more closely resemble their orzanization in vivo. This image shows cardiomyocytes aligned to 10 micron wide lines of fibronectin separated by 10 micron wide lines of fibronectin at a lower concentration.
Photo by Borna Dabiri
Disease Biophysics Group Postdoctoral Fellow Positions January 18th, 2013
The Disease Biophysics Group at Harvard University invites applications for a number of Postdoctoral Fellow positions open for projects pertaining to building microscale models of diseased organs. The project requires the assembly of engineered, human microtissues in microfluidic devices that can be interrogated for the genetic, morphological and functional indicators of health, disease, and injury.
The Disease Biophysics Group is a multidisciplinary research group based in the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the Wyss Institute for Biologically-Inspired Engineering, and the Harvard Stem Cell Institute.
Candidates with experience in neuronal cell biology, striated and smooth muscle tissue engineering, the cardiac valves, and experimental models of diabetes are encouraged to apply. Applicants are expected to hold a doctoral degree in engineering, physiology, or cell biology and have a proven record of high quality publications.
Application Procedure
The application will be assembled as single pdf file: cover letter describing research interests and goals, CV, research statement, a full list of publications and up to three examples of first author papers, and a list of no less than three references with contact information. Please note that all requirements for the doctoral degree must be completed prior to the start date. The application should be sent to:dbg-postdoc@seas.harvard.edu
Full consideration will be given to all applications received by February 15, 2013; applications received thereafter will be considered until the positions are filled.
Harvard University is an equal opportunity employer. Women and underrepresented minorities are particularly encouraged to apply.
Congratulations to Benjamin Potter and Calla Glavin for receiving Honorable Mention December 12th, 2012
The DBG congratulates Benjamin Potter and Calla Glavin for receiving Honorable Mention for their poster titled, “Effect of Polymer and Solvent Properties on Nanofiber Morphology in Rotary Jet-Spinning” at the 2012 Materials Research Society Fall Meeting Poster Competition. The poster competition was held on Monday November 26, 2012 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston.
Both Ben and Calla were summer interns in the DBG mentored by graduate student, Holly M. Golecki. Ben and Calla are currently cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
WELL DONE!!