Silk biomaterials for cardiovascular applications

Biomaterials (materials designed to interface with the body) and bioengineered tissues (living tissue equivalents designed in the lab) are becoming integral in replacing and regenerating host tissue with wide applications in human and veterinary medicine and cosmetics. However, as the demand for implantable biomaterials grows, the availability of biomaterials that actively and functionally integrate with the body remains limited. This is in large part due to the lack of a functional blood vessel supply to implanted biomaterials.

A healthy vascular (blood vessel) supply is essential in supporting biomaterial/bioengineered tissue integration with the body, as blood vessels deliver oxygen and nutrients to all living cells. Engineering of biomaterials that actively promote blood vessel growth is limited by the inadequate understanding of the effect of biomaterial properties on vascular growth and systematic translation of this fundamental knowledge into accessible and scalable biomaterial fabrication methods. Therefore before the full potential of biomaterials can be realised these gaps in scientific knowledge and engineering technologies need to be addressed.

The aim of this project is to engineer biomaterial platforms that active promote vascular growth via engineered synergy between chemical, physical, and biological signals that mimic the structure and function of the native extracellular matrix. 

How to Apply

Express your interest in this project by emailing Assocaite Professor Jelena Rnjak-Kovacina. Include a copy of your CV and your academic transcript(s).