3D Tumor Angiogenesis Model for Drug Screening

Angiogenesis, i.e. formation of blood capillaries, is a requisite for tumors to grow beyond 1-2 mm³. While chemical signaling molecules involved in neovascularization have been identified, moderate success of anti-agiogenic agents highlight the need of identifying and targeting signaling hubs that drive the “angiogenic switch” of the cancer cells. However, very little is known about the role of mechanical cues in tumor angiogenesis. Our preliminary studies demonstrated that the matrix stiffening induced cytoskeletal organization of cancer cells correlates of higher level of vascular endothelial growth factor expression. In this project, we are developing 3D tumor angiogenesis model to investigate the potential existence of a mechanoregulatory circuit that mediates vascularization of tumor tissue.

Regulating Mesenchymal Stem Cell Secretome with Material Cues

In the recent years, mounting evidence attributes the array of biomolecules including cytokines, chemokines, angiogenic factors, growth factors, extracellular matrix proteases, and hormones secreted by mesenchymal stem cells to play critical role in the regulation of numerous physiological processes. While the microenvironmental cues play an important role in orchestrating the commitment decisions of MSCs, not much is known how they influence the secretory profile of MSCs. The goal of this project is screening of cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions that guide secretome of MSCs, in particular, pro-angiogenic signaling of MSCs.

Hydrogel based diagnostic assay for cancer detection/ therapy monitoring

Despite the advances made in surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy, the clinical outcome for cancer patients (especially, lung and pancreatic cancer) remains very poor; probably due to the fact that mostly the disease is asymptomatic at the early stages. Proper prognostication and identification of cancer risk in asymptomatic population can improve the clinical management of cancer. Cancer molecular markers are assuming important role in cancer care starting from screening to early detection to treatment selection and follow-up due to their potential to indicate the presence of neoplastic cells independent of tumor mass. In this project, we are leveraging conjugation chemistry and immunoassay to fabricate non-spherical hydrogel microparticles with induced porosity for rapid and sensitive screening of cancer markers.

Hybrid membranes for water purification

Ultrafiltration membranes remain the state-of-the-art for water treatment. However, biofilm formation (biofouling) decreases transport of purified water across the membrane and thereby increases energy consumption and shortens the lifetime of the membrane. Consequently, the cost of water purification process increases. The project aims to understand how the chemical structure and architecture of polymeric/hydrogel additives can reduce biofouling while improving flux of purified water.