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SUMMARY:Organic Electronics for Monitoring and Hosting of 3D Cell Biology 
 Models - Dr. Róisín M. Owens\, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology\, 
 University of Cambridge
DTSTART:20171212T143000Z
DTEND:20171212T153000Z
UID:TALK95875@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Sharon Connor
DESCRIPTION:The importance of studying biological systems in 3D as opposed
  to 2D is now clear. The difficulty lies with standard biological techniqu
 es and assays which are unable to adapt to 3D formats. Polymeric electroac
 tive materials and devices can bridge the gap between hard inflexible mate
 rials used for physical transducers and soft\, compliant biological tissue
 s. They also have the advantage that they can be used in conformable or ev
 en 3D formats which can allow integration with complex cell constructs or 
 tissues.  \n\nIn this presentation I will discuss our recent progress in a
 dapting conducting polymer devices\, including simple electrodes and trans
 istors (specifically the organic electrochemical transistor)\, to integrat
 e with 3D cell models. We show electrical impedance monitoring of spheroid
 s captured in microfluidic traps\, hitherto impossible with traditional el
 ectrical techniques. \n\nWe go further\, by generating 3D electroactive sc
 affolds capable of hosting and monitoring cells. Alongside the monitoring 
 we attempt to add to the repertoire of tissue engineers by integrating ele
 ctrical cues alongside the biochemical and mechanical cues. Electrical cue
 s have a demonstrated role in development\, not just for electrogenic tiss
 ues\, but for all tissues. To enable the trifecta of stimuli necessary for
  recreating tissues in vitro\, we have generated conducting polymer scaffo
 lds blended with biopolymers such as collagen. I will show evidence that t
 hese structures can simultaneously monitor tissue formation\, but also con
 tribute to the differentiation of specific tissue types. \n
LOCATION:Wolfson Lecture Theatre\,  Department of Chemistry\, Lensfield Ro
 ad
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