Mass Transfer of Growth Factors in Biological Gels

Jess Nauman 

Chemical Engineering - PhD Graduate Student

Bone Tissue Engineering Center

Advisors: John L. Anderson, Chemical  Engineering  

                  Phil Campbell, ICES and BTEC

                  Frederick Lanni, Biological Sciences & STC

My research focus is on mass transport of proteins in the interstitial space (or tissue matrices).  Chemical engineering principles are applied to biological phenomenon for the development of system models.  The focus will initially be on growth factor transport and growth factor interaction with the solid phase of the tissue.  The research involves mass transport driving forces, protein binding kinetics, and matrices formation chemistry (colloid chemistry and physics).  The models will be utilized to better understand how growth factors coordinate wound healing.

Background:

Small proteins called growth factors cross the tissue interstitial regions to communicate growth and differentiation signals to receiving cells.  These growth factors can directly or indirectly bind to the tissue?s solid-phase to create a gradient.  Understanding this solid-phase gradient and the transport of growth factor through gel (tissue) scaffolds is essential for the study of numerous biological systems, and critical for the development of tissue-engineered products.

Goal

A mathematical model for growth factor transport will be developed and tested by experimental data.  The theoretical model will be based on Brinkman?s equation for flow through porous media, and the classical diffusive-convective transport equations.