Home Department: Biology
Mentor: Fan Yang (Orthopaedic Surgery and Bioengineering)

“Enhancing Cell-Based Cartilage Regeneration via Engineering HydroGels with Tunable Viscoelasticity”

Julia plans to improve the regeneration of cartilage tissue by incorporating tunable levels of resistance to flow and elasticity (viscoelasticity) in 3D sliding hydrogels. By adjusting the bond strength of the crosslinks in the hydrogel network, the viscoelasticity of the hydrogels can be controlled. Julia’s project will involve determining the optimal hydrogel formulation that supports robust cartilage formation using chondrocytes and mesenchymal stem cells. Through this research, a deeper understanding of the role of viscoelasticity in promoting cartilage regeneration will be gained, bridging the gap in knowledge in this field and advancing tissue engineering techniques.