Our 10th and final ChBE seminar of the Spring Quarter will be Thursday, June 4th at 9am in Tech LR5. Dr. Julie Liu from Purdue University will present a seminar on Protein-based Biomaterials for Stem Cell Differentiation and Surgical Adhesive Applications, detailed information is given below:

Date & Time: Thursday, June 4th, 9:00 am - 10:00 amLocation: Tech, LR5 (refreshments will be available at 8:45am)Speaker: Dr. Julie Liu, Purdue University

TitleProtein-based Biomaterials for Stem Cell Differentiation and Surgical Adhesive Applications

AbstractWe are designing genetically-engineered protein biomaterials for tissue engineering and surgical adhesive applications. To promote cell differentiation, we designed materials that contain 1) a bioactive domain that interacts with cells, 2) resilin-based structural repeats to confer the desired mechanical properties, and 3) crosslinking sites. Our work demonstrates that the identity of the bioactive domain can influence or promote adult mesenchymal stem cell differentiation to the osteogenic or endothelial lineage. For surgical adhesive applications, we designed protein-based adhesives containing two domains: a structural domain that provides flexibility and an adhesive domain that provides the ability to adhere in wet environments. Initial results show high cytocompatibility (>98% viability) and significant bulk adhesive strength (approximately 1 MPa). This new family of flexible adhesive proteins combines the mechanical properties of elastin and the adhesive properties of mussel adhesive proteins. Its unique properties are ideal for application as a soft tissue surgical adhesive, as well as coatings for cell attachment or scaffolds for tissue engineering. BioJulie Liu received her B.S.E. in chemical engineering from Princeton University. She was awarded a Whitaker Graduate Fellowship and worked with David Tirrell at the California Institute of Technology. Her doctoral research examined the cellular response to protein-based matrices designed for small-diameter vascular grafts. After obtaining her Ph.D. in chemical engineering, she received an NIH postdoctoral fellowship to study skeletal biology with Jane Lian and Gary Stein in the department of cell biology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. She is an associate professor of chemical engineering and biomedical engineering at Purdue University. Her research interests include biomimetic materials, tissue engineering, stem cell differentiation, surgical adhesives, and detection of epigenetic modifications. Her research has been funded by the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, American Heart Association, and a 3M Nontenured Faculty Award.