{"642478":{"#nid":"642478","#data":{"type":"event","title":"BioE PhD Proposal Presentation- Michael Hunckler","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAdvisor:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDr. Andr\u0026eacute;s Garc\u0026iacute;a (ME, Georgia Institute of Technology)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECommittee Members:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDr. Edward Botchwey (BME, Georgia Institute of Technology)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDr. Krish Roy (BME, Georgia Institute of Technology)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDr. Ankur Singh (ME, Georgia Institute of Technology)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDr. M. Cristina Nostro (University of Toronto)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESynthetic Hydrogel-mediated Maturation and Engraftment of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived \u0026beta;-cells\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EA functional cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D) could be stem-cell derived \u0026beta;-cell replacement to restore the insulin-producing \u0026beta;-cells that were destroyed by autoimmune system. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) can differentiate into insulin-producing monohormonal cells that phenotypically and functionally resemble immature \u0026beta;-cells. While promising, fully functional \u003Cem\u003Ein vitro\u003C\/em\u003E differentiation of these hPSCs into mature \u0026beta;-cells remains elusive. Current \u003Cem\u003Ein vitro \u003C\/em\u003Edifferentiation protocols of hPSCs cannot provide the precise microenvironmental cues necessary for complete maturation. Consequently, \u003Cem\u003Ein vivo \u003C\/em\u003Eimplantation is often used to direct end-stage maturation of stem cells, resulting in an uncontrolled environment to direct \u0026beta;-cell maturation. Furthermore, there are few suitable delivery vehicles for transplantation to clinically-translatable extrahepatic sites. These challenges highlight the need for strategies that enhance the \u003Cem\u003Ein vitro\u003C\/em\u003E maturation of the hPSC-derived \u0026beta;-cells and improve their engraftment and function in a clinically-translatable transplant site. The objective of this project is to engineer advanced synthetic hydrogels to direct \u003Cem\u003Ein vitro\u003C\/em\u003E maturation and function of hiPSC-derived \u0026beta;-cells and enhance engraftment and vascularization in an extrahepatic murine transplant site. This will be achieved through two specific aims: (1) human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) will be encapsulated in engineered synthetic hydrogels that direct the \u003Cem\u003Ein vitro\u003C\/em\u003E differentiation to a mature \u0026beta;-cell stage. Encapsulated \u0026beta;-cells will be evaluated for their viability, function, and maturation. (2) Pancreatic progenitors and immature \u0026beta;-cells will be transplanted into the clinically-relevant, extrahepatic gonadal fat pad with synthetic vasculogenic hydrogels to promote \u0026beta;-cell engraftment, maturation, and function. This project will provide a significant foundation for translation of hiPSC-derived \u0026beta;-cells into more clinically-relevant sites and establish innovative materials that promote survival, engraftment, and function of hiPSC-derived \u0026beta;-cells.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBioE PhD Proposal Presentation- \u0026quot;Synthetic Hydrogel-mediated Maturation and Engraftment of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived \u0026beta;-cells\u0026quot;\u0026nbsp; -Michael Hunckler\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"\u0022Synthetic Hydrogel-mediated Maturation and Engraftment of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived \u03b2-cells\u0022"}],"uid":"27917","created_gmt":"2021-01-04 18:58:13","changed_gmt":"2021-01-04 18:58:13","author":"Laura Paige","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","field_event_time":{"event_time_start":"2021-01-12T12:00:00-05:00","event_time_end":"2021-01-12T14:00:00-05:00","event_time_end_last":"2021-01-12T14:00:00-05:00","gmt_time_start":"2021-01-12 17:00:00","gmt_time_end":"2021-01-12 19:00:00","gmt_time_end_last":"2021-01-12 19:00:00","rrule":null,"timezone":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"groups":[{"id":"65448","name":"Bioengineering Graduate Program"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"172056","name":"go-BioE"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[{"id":"10377","name":"Career\/Professional development"}],"invited_audience":[{"id":"78761","name":"Faculty\/Staff"},{"id":"78771","name":"Public"},{"id":"78751","name":"Undergraduate students"}],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ELaura Paige\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E404-385-6655\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}