Congratulations to Gabe Diamond for being awarded a CMU Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) to study the mechanical properties of laminin nanofibers in the lab this summer.
Skeletal Muscle in the Lab
A skeletal muscle myotube derived from the C2C12 cell line. Credit to Yan Sun and Ashley Lee.
Hierarchical architecture influences calcium dynamics in engineered cardiac muscle
Dr. Feinberg is a co-author on the recently published article entitled “Hierarchical architecture influences calcium dynamics in engineered cardiac muscle” in the Experimental Biology and Medicine.
Pong, T., W. J. Adams, et al. (2011). “Hierarchical architecture influences calcium dynamics in engineered cardiac muscle.” Proceedings Of The Society For Experimental Biology And Medicine: ebm.2010.010239.
http://ebm.rsmjournals.com/cgi/content/abstract/ebm.2010.010239v1
Undergraduate Research Opportunities – SUMMER 2011
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.
Welcome Dr. Yan Sun
The Regenerative Biomaterials and Therapeutics Group welcomes Dr. Yan Sun to the lab. Dr. Sun is an Associate Professor in the School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (BUAA) and will be a Visiting Scientist in the group for the next year.
Welcome Quentin, Gabe, Anshul and Tomas
The Regenerative Biomaterials and Therapeutics Group welcomes graduate student Quentin Jallerat and undergraduates Gabriel Diamond, Anshul Dhankher and Tomas Dardet to the lab.
Postdoctoral Fellowship Available (FILLED)
Immediate opening for a Postdoctoral Fellow in the area of Neural Tissue Engineering and Traumatic Brain Injury
Description:
A postdoctoral position is available in tissue engineered neural networks for the study of traumatic brain injury. Research efforts will be focused on the development of patterned 3-D neural networks embedded in hydrogels and integration into a 6-axis nanodeformation system for delivering simulated blast injury. Based in the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, the postdoctoral fellow will have access to world-class research facilities and dedicated resources. Professional training opportunities include career mentoring, interaction with the Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative and the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, and dedicated funds for travel to scientific conferences. The appointment will be for 1 year with additional years available based on performance and funding. Salary and benefits are nationally competitive, with consideration given for the experience-level of the candidate. The position is available immediately and applications will be reviewed as received, so interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Qualifications:
Applicants should have an MD or a PhD (or equivalent) in biomedical, mechanical, chemical, or materials engineering or related fields and a strong interest in multidisciplinary biomedical research. Existing expertise in cell culture, optical microscopy, microfabrication, soft-lithography, molecular biology, and/or neuroscience are highly desirable. Additional requirements include a strong experimental background, academic history, and publication record, as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills. Interested candidates should email (feinberg@andrew.cmu.edu) their CV, a description of research interests, up to three first author publications, and the names and contact information of 3 references as a single PDF file.