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MSE Seminar: “Soft Microparticle Assemblies to MAP Scaffolds” Tatiana Segura – Duke University
March 20 at 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Particle assemblies form interconnected pockets of empty space that are hot spots for activity in many applications and natural phenomenon that deal with particulate matter. In my lab we explore the use of interlinked soft microparticle assemblies as scaffolds for cell culture in vitro and to promote regenerative wound healing in vivo. The open space that is created by these soft microparticle assemblies can be engineered to guide cellular behavior through restricting the space occupied by cells by modulating particle size, changing the chemical composition of the open space, and activating the cells with soluble factors. Using these approaches, we have studied the role of open space on macrophage polarization, neuroprogenitor cell growth, and vascular morphogenesis. Injection of these materials into wounds result in the local modulation of immune cells that turn the environment towards a reparative environment and leads to scarless healing skin. In this talk, I will discuss our latest results in our creation of soft particle assemblies for biomedical applications.
Tatiana Segura
Professor, Biomedical Engineering, Duke University
Tatiana Segura received her B.S. from the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), her doctorate from Northwestern University, and her postdoctorate at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. She began her independent career at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) reaching the title of Professor of Chemical Engineering. At UCLA she participated actively in service culminating with her election as department Vice Chair and running the Graduate Program. At Duke she has continued to be heavily involved in service at the department, school, and university level. She is currently Co-director of the Center for Biotechnology and Tissue Engineering and serves as MPI of a T32 Biotechnology Training grant. Professor Segura has received numerous awards and distinctions during her career, including being named a Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors, receiving the Acta Biomaterialia Silver Medal, a CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation, and an Outstanding Young Investigator Award from the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy. She was also named a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineers (AIMBE). Professor Segura has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers and reviews and has over 10,000 citations.