Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are derived from a patient’s own cells and engineered back into a stem cell with similar differentiation properties of embryonic stem cells. This allows for the generation of patient specific cells to potentially be implanted back into the patient given any tissue regeneration needs. In the future, long-term space flight operations may rely on the banking of iPSCs derived from crew members' own cells to address possible medical concerns or emergencies the crew may encounter. However, differentiation of iPSCs into specific cell lines is heavily dependent on the mechanical environment the cells are exposed to. To do this, we aim to study the effects of simulated microgravity on iPSCs using a NASA-designed rotating wall vessel (RWV) bioreactor to determine strategies for effectively culturing iPSCs in these environments.

Oral mucosa wound healing has often been neglected in research due to its efficient wound healing response. However, acute full-thickness oral mucoperiosteum wounds such as those generated during tumor resection, cleft palate repair and trauma impact not only the lining mucosa but also the underlying matrix and periosteum. These acute wounds can result in aberrant wound healing outcomes, which are especially devastating for pediatric patients because they have limited tissue for repair. Unassisted healing can be a considerable source of pain, increases risk of infection, and disrupts dento-maxillary development. In addition, recent studies have demonstrated that mucoperiosteum has drastically different mechanical properties compared to other oral mucosa soft tissues. Incorporation of a mechanically compatible biomaterial during the surgical procedures has the potential to improve wound healing outcomes of full-thickness oral mucoperiosteum defects. In this study, we aim to create a robust in situ photopolymerization system for mucoperiosteal wounds using a continuous phase of crosslinked biopolymers with a discontinuous phase of resorbable particles to add mechanical strength.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a hallmark and final consequence of several lung diseases including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and ventilation induced lung injury. Although these diseases have distinct etiologies, the outcome is fibrogenesis that leads to impaired pulmonary function. Fibrotic lesions and scarring of the lung connective tissue are a result of alterations in extracellular matrix (ECM) composition which leads to increasing tissue stiffness. Here, we made a new in vitro culture system combining photopolymerized hydrogels and a bioreactor that allows for precise manipulation of mechanical and biochemical cues and mimic those in diseased and healthy conditions. Studying cell behavior in response to these cues will advance our understanding of how changes in the ECM influence fibrotic lung disease progression, so that better therapies can be developed in the future.

Photopolymerization is a fabrication technique used across many sectors, ranging from biotechnology to aerospace engineering. However, traditionally used photoinitiators are synthetic molecules that rely on diminishing raw materials. Additionally, many of these synthetic initiators are considered emerging biological and environmental contaminants. As such, a major focus of the field is identifying and characterizing biologically-sourced molecules that can be used as effective photoinitiator systems. In the Worthington Lab, we quantify photoinitiator system effectiveness using techniques such as spectrophotometry and photo-rheology to continue to push the development of safe and sustainable photopolymerization.