Discipline: Biological Sciences
Subcategory: Microbiology/Immunology/Virology
Diana Richardson - Alabama State University
Purpose: Tissue engineering involves the use of engineering methods, favorable biochemical factors, and cells to improve tissues. Scaffolds are used in tissue engineering for the formation of new feasible tissue. There are many front line biological scaffolds, but hydrogels have become one of the most essential due to their high water content, porous structure, and excellent flexibility. These scaffolds provide wound surface hydration and moisture. Wound recovery, bone and ligament convalesce, and cell therapeutics are some of the biomedical tests that hydrogels have assisted. Hydrogels have also created a method for drug delivery because of their similarity to natural skin and biocompatibility. Alginate hydrogels have proven mechanical properties with minimum toxicity. In this study, alginate hydrogels are being tested for cell growth of keratinocyte cells. Method: 1% Alginate was prepared by mixing 1g alginate in 99ml distilled water, then stirred for 30 minutes. 1% CaCl2 solution was prepared by mixing 1g CaCl2 in 99ml distilled water. Alginate hydrogels were prepared by adding 20µl of 1% CaCl2 into 100µl of 1% alginate. The cell development proficiency on keratinocyte cells are being tested using this concentration in a 96 well plate of over a course of 21 days. The cells will be observed for a variety of things such as viability, absorbency, and cell proliferation. MTT assay will be used to measure the cellular viability on each hydrogel. Generally, this examination points on recognizing hydrogels for tissue designing and their applications in the field. Results: Keratinocyte cells have grown tremendously with the use of alginate hydrogels. Conclusion: The initial purpose of the study was to observe cell growth of keratinocytes on hydrogels. It was observed that keratinocytes can be grown on hydrogels. MTT assay is currently being done to measure the cellular viability on each hydrogel. Cell growth on hydrogels will also undergo tests with DAPI (4′, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) and neutral red dye uptake. Fibroblast cells will also be tested for growth on hydrogels. Acknowledgment: NIH under the Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) program funded this experiment.
Growth of Keratinocyte Cells on Hydrogels for.docxFunder Acknowledgement(s): Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE)
Faculty Advisor: Komal Vig, komalvig@alasu.edu
Role: I prepared the 1% alginate, 1% CaCl2, and all assays.