Using modified collagen scaffolds to promote angiogenesis for tissue

engineering applications

Julie M. EtheridgeTissue Engineering and Biomaterials Laboratory

Fischell Department of BioengineeringUniversity of Maryland, College Park, MD

A. James Clark School of EngineeringRISE Leadership Academy

Leadership in Research

• Project Objective:• To promote the formation of pre-vascular networks in engineered tissue

constructs by immobilizing an angiogenic growth factor (platelet derived growth factor, PDGF-BB) on collagen scaffolds

1. Immobilize growth factor on 3-dimensional collagen hydrogel scaffolds

2. Examine effect of growth factor on vascularization of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in monolayer

• Project Significance: • Bridge the gap between tissue engineering and clinical/industry

applications by developing functional tissue grafts for implantation

End of Semester Report • Project Conclusions:

• Objective 1• Collagen hydrogels successfully

modified with PDGF-BB• Objective 2

• Low concentration of PDGF-BB induces long term angiogenic marker expression

• High concentration of PDGF-BB inhibits rapid endothelial sprout formation

PDGF-BB induced pre-vascular networkCollagen hydrogels containing encapsulated HUVECs

Leadership in research

• Presented project findings as a representative of the University of Maryland at the 2014 ACC Meeting of the Minds undergraduate student research conference