Keywords

Biomedical materials, Cells, Proteins, Tissues

Abstract

Bioengineering is the application of engineering principles to address challenges in the fields of biology and medicine. Biomaterials play a major role in bioengineering. This work employs a three level approach to study the various interactions of biomaterials with proteins, cells and tissue in vitro. In the first study, we qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed the process of protein adsorption of two enzymes to two different surface chemistries, which are commonly used in the field. In the second study, we attempted to engineer a tissue construct to build a biocompatible interface between a titanium substrate and human skin. In the third study, an in-vitro model of the motoneuron-muscle part of the stretch reflex arc circuit was developed. Using a novel silicon based micro-cantilever device, muscle contraction dynamics were measured and we have shown the presence of a functional neuro-muscular junction (NMJ). These studies have potential applications in the rational design of biomaterials used for biosensors and other implantable devices, in the development of a functional prosthesis and as a high-throughput drug-screening platform to study various neuro-muscular disorders.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2010

Semester

Summer

Advisor

Hickman, James

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Department

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0003347

URL

http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0003347

Language

English

Release Date

August 2010

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

Subjects

Dissertations, Academic -- Engineering and Computer Science, Engineering and Computer Science -- Dissertations, Academic

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