Patrick Benitez |
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email: patrick.benitez AT
stanford DOT edu
Dept: Bioengineering
B.S.E.
Chemical Engineering
Princeton University
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The inability to engineer microvasculature prevents clinical
translation of the ground-breaking discoveries in regenerative medicine
because all tissue-engineered implants larger than 200 micrometers
require vascular perfusion. Previous attempts to achieve
clinically useful microvasculature, which primarily focus on growth
factor delivery, have gleaned promising results, but novel strategies
are still needed. To meet this outstanding need, we are investigating
bulk, nanoscale ligand patterning of three-dimensional protein
scaffolds as a promoter of sprouting angiogenesis in vitro. To fabricate these novel
biomaterials, we are elaborating on existing electrospinning techniques
and protein-engineered polymers. Electrospun fibers mimic the nanoscale
mechanics and topography of the native extracellular matrix and can be
synthesized with radial or lateral compartments; protein-engineered
polymers, when spun into nanofibers, enable nanoscale patterning of
ligands for cell-matrix adhesion, cell-cell signaling, and
cell-sensitive degradation. Our long-term goal is to engineer
clinically relevant, i.e.,
networked, stable, and patent, microvasculature within implantable
scaffolds for regenerative medicine.
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