Information about The Laboratory of Hybrid Materials for the Bioengineering of Interface and Biotransport.

Heart with heart beat and technical cogsThe Laboratory of Hybrid Materials for the Bioengineering of Interface and Biotransport’s overall goal is to develop advanced material systems that allow us to better understand and regulate interfacial and transport phenomena related to human health and sustainability. To achieve this goal, we focus on synthesis, characterization, and processing of “intelligent” materials with desired structure, property and functionality. We also integrate synthetic materials (e.g., polymer and metals) with living organisms (e.g., cells & tissue) by using cell and tissue engineering technologies and, in turn, create new hybrid materials that have not been explored to date. We are also utilizing the resulting material systems for a series of applications:

  1. Diagnosis and treatments of diseases
  2. Control of surface fouling
  3. Engineering of self-adaptive devices
  4. Assembly of autonomous miniature organs termed “organoids”

Our Principal Investigator is Hyun Joon Kong.

If you would like to learn more about us, check out our website here.

Current Research Areas
Synthesis and Fabrication of Smart Hydrogels

We are researching differential controls of chemical, mechanical and transport properties of smart, bioactive hydrogels for drug delivery, 3D cell culture, cell transplantation, and anti-fouling. Examples include:

  • Self-folding Hydrogel
(a) Effects of poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate (PEGDA) molecular weight hydrogel self-folding (a-1 and a-2). (b) Magnetic resonance image of self-folded, multi-walled PEGDA hydrogel.
(a) Effects of poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate (PEGDA) molecular weight hydrogel self-folding (a-1 and a-2). (b) Magnetic resonance image of self-folded, multi-walled PEGDA hydrogel.
In situ self-folding of a PEGDA hydrogel at an implantation site
In situ self-folding of a PEGDA hydrogel at an implantation site
  • Microvascular Stamp for Patterning of Functional Neovessels
Images of patterned vasculature formed under microstamp implants
Images of patterned vasculature formed under microstamp implants
  • Proangiogenic Patch
Proangiogenic fiber/microparticle patch assembled through in situ electrospinning and electrospraying
Proangiogenic fiber/microparticle patch assembled through in situ electrospinning and electrospraying

Modular Assembly of Multifunctional Nano- & Microparticles

We are researching modular assembly of multifunctional nano- and microparticles for diagnosis, imaging, and treatments of cardiovascular diseases. Examples include:

  • Gadolinium-Coated Liposomes for Vascular Imaging
(Left) Scheme of liposome particles coated with gadolinium using a chitosan fastener; (Right) MR images of two animal models with injection of Gd-coated liposomes.
(Left) Scheme of liposome particles coated with gadolinium using a chitosan fastener; (Right) MR images of two animal models with injection of Gd-coated liposomes.
  • Ellipsoidal Polymersomes for Highly Efficient Cell Targeting
Polyaspartamide polymer with a hydrophobic chain can self-assemable into an ellipsoidal naonparticle. This special shape enables efficient adhesion to stem cells.
Polyaspartamide polymer with a hydrophobic chain can self-assemable into an ellipsoidal naonparticle. This special shape enables efficient adhesion to stem cells.

Directing Stem Cell Transports

We are researching the development of nanomaterials for targeted delivery and in situ regulation of therapeutic stem cells. Examples include:

  • Chemical Modification of Stem Cell Surface to Induce Adhesion
(Left) A highly-branched polymer can be easily attached to the surface of a stem cell; (Right) With the polymer attached, bioadhesion kinetics are improved.
(Left) A highly-branched polymer can be easily attached to the surface of a stem cell; (Right) With the polymer attached, bioadhesion kinetics are improved.

Cell and Tissue Engineering

We are researching the engineering of cell clusters and tissue for understanding emergent cell behavior towards tissue development and pathogenesis and assembling “living” biological machinery. Examples include:

  • Cell-instructive Hydrogels
(Left) Scheme of soft/stiff cell-instructive collagen gels; (Right) Cancer malignancy in collagen gels with different cues.
(Left) Scheme of soft/stiff cell-instructive collagen gels; (Right) Cancer malignancy in collagen gels with different cues.