The Carnegie Mellon Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program in Materials Research is accepting applications until February 22, 2011. Undergraduates must be from a university other than CMU. Opportunities exist to do cutting edge research in the Regenerative Biomaterials & Therapeutics Group as well as many other excellent laboratories at CMU. Please apply directly to the REU program here, http://reu.materials.cmu.edu/.
Adam Feinberg
Regenerative Biomaterials & Therapeutics Group
Title:
Biomechanical Characterization of Nanostructured, Protein-Based Materials
Abstract:
The extracellular matrix is a complex nanofiber scaffold that surrounds cells in the body and provides the primary mechanical structure of all tissues and organs. We have developed a unique method to regenerate this extracellular matrix, providing new opportunities for creating advanced polymeric materials and tissue engineering scaffolds. Students will learn how to fabricate these materials and characterize the biomechanical functionality using optical, scanning electron and/or atomic force microscopy. Ambitious students will have the opportunity to evaluate cell response to these materials and tissue engineer skeletal muscle constructs.