BECKMAN LASER INSTITUTE

Using microrheology as a tool to study, and improve design of, tissue engineering constructs.

A Quad Photo Diode (QPD) is used in conjuction with a spatial light modulator (SLM) in a custom built holographic optical tweezer system to examine the frequencey-dependent movement of microbeads within hydrogels to study the microenvironment of the hydrogels based on light defraction of the laser tweezer off the microbead.

Hydrogels are composed of a network of water-insoluble polymer chains which give them a natural elasticity similar to tissue.

As a result of their similarity to natural tissue, hydrogels are used as a scaffold substrate in tissue engineering. Substrates in tissue engineering allow cells to be deposited and grown on them, and then implanted into patients to help repair damaged tissue.

Since hydrogels and substrate alike are very important in advancing techniques and technology in tissue engineering, better understanding the characteristics of hydrogels is very key in accomplishing that goal.

As such, current projects in the BEAMS Lab take advantage of laser tweezers and their ability to trap microparticles to study the 3D microenvironment of hydrogels with and without cells.

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