Contact: Prof. L.J. Bonassar lb244@cornell.edu

Phone: 255-9381

Office: 218 Upson Hall

Development of Bioreactors for Tissue Engineering

Tissue Engineering often involves the culture of cells on polymer scaffolds for extended periods of time outside of the body. A major challenge involved in these cultures is the recreation of the multitude of stimuli normally seen by cells in vivo. Depending on the specific tissue of interest, this may involve static and dynamic mechanical loads as well as diffusive and convective transport of nutrients to growing tissues. This project involves the design and fabrication of “bioreactors” for the controlled application of mechanical loads and solute flows to cell-seeded polymers.

In prior work we have demonstrated that fluid flow as well as static and dynamic compression regulates the metabolism of cartilage cells. The current project involves the development of cyclic shear bioreactor with controlled nutrient flow for the cultivation of tissue engineered cartilage. Such devices will be designed for sterility and the ability to function in a physiologic environment.

This project is well suited for a team of 2-3 students with a strong background in mechanical design, familiarity with CAD software, programming in LabView, and machining. Tasks for this project include design, fabrication, and validation of a working tissue culture bioreactor.