Prof. Prakriti Tayalia's Talk

Sep 07, 2017 - 17:00

Sep 07, 2017 - 18:00

Rm. No. 118 Ground floor Chemical Engg. Dept.

Seminars

Prof. Prakriti Tayalia Biosciences and Bioengineering IIT Bombay

Abstract: Hydrogels are hydrophilic polymer networks which can mimic the physical and mechanical properties of the complex three-dimensional (3D) microenvironment of cells and tissues in vivo. The nature of polymer network that forms the hydrogel matrix greatly influences the morphology and behavior of cells. We have developed free radical mediated polymerized hydrogel systems and have blended them in varying compositions to form hydrogel matrices with tuneable mechanical properties. Cells encapsulated in an inert restrictive matrix show spheroidal type of growth while those in a degradable matrix show spreading and migration. This change in behavior of cells is observed just by switching concentrations in a blended matrix system. We also saw the effect of matrix on expression of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) genes and found partial induction of EMT with time in breast cancer cells when encapsulated in hydrogel matrices. The effect of stiffness on sprouting angiogenesis was studied using chick aortic arch assay and it was found that stiffer hydrogels did not promote as much cell sprouting as softer gels. For furthering the in vivo applications of these blended gels we have also developed a porous variant of this hydrogel system using cryogelation technique. While being biocompatible and promoting cell adhesion these matrices were also found to be suitable as delivery vehicles for gene delivery applications. The cryogels were loaded with lentiviruses and were shown to effectively induce transduction of GFP gene when placed on HEK cell monolayer. To summarize we have developed a synthetic hydrogel platform which can further be improved for in vitro and in vivo applications ranging from developing a drug screening platform tissue engineering and cellular programming via growth factor and gene delivery for regenerative and immunotherapeutic purposes.Bio: Prakriti Tayalia is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering at IIT Bombay. She received her B.Tech degree in Metallurgical Engineering & Materials Science from IIT Bombay in 1999. She has an M.S. degree in Materials Science from University of Delaware and did her Ph.D in Applied Physics and Bioengineering at Harvard University. She continued to stay at Harvard for her post-doctoral research before moving back to IIT Bombay in October 2011 as an Assistant Professor at IIT Bombay. Apart from her academic experience she has also worked at GE Research. Her research interests lie in creating microfabricated structures and developing material platforms for applications in the field of cellular tissue engineering and immunotherapy. Note: This seminar is mandatory for those registered in CL 702/704.