BIO

I am a passionate and driven individual currently pursuing my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering at Florida State University. Alongside my academic pursuits, I thrive outside the lab as an avid runner, where the values of discipline and perseverance intersect with my academic journey.

Excitingly, I'm preparing to take the next step in my education at Florida State University for graduate school, specializing in engineering. My keen interest lies in organic synthesis and cell culture, particularly in their application to pharmaceutical drug development. I aspire to contribute to the field by leveraging my expertise in organic synthesis to innovate and advance medicinal chemistry. Through this journey, I aim to merge my academic ambitions with my passion for innovation, striving to make a meaningful impact in the realm of research.

A Dextran Based Hydrogel System for Studying Fibrotic Extracellular Matrix Cues

Abstract

Fibrosis is a complex process that is dependent on the location
of excess growth. Currently, there are no effective treatments for treating the formation of excess fibrotic tissue
except for a complete organ replacement. To better understand the development and treatment of fibrotic tissue, it is
crucial to first understand the triggers of fibrotic tissue remodeling and how it is initiated within the body. As part of
this project, fibrotic cellular signaling was studied through the implementation of a tunable
hydrogel. First, the synthesis and characterization of Dextran-Vinyl Sulfone polymer provided the basis for a
tunable hydrogel system with controllable peptide presentation. After the synthesis of Dextran-Vinyl Sulfone, it was
crosslinked to create hydrogels and modified with different extracellular matrix derived adhesive peptides. 3T3
fibroblasts were seeded on these gels to assess the activation of a mechanosensitive transcription factor that plays an
important role in fibrosis (YAP). Quantification of YAP nuclear localization showed increased activation on
fibronectin derived peptides compared to laminin derived peptides. This is consistent with fibronectins known role
in fibrosis of several tissues. This also indicates that presentation of laminin peptides or inhibition of fibronectin
interactions could be an effective strategy for reducing fibrotic signaling and the destructive tissue remodeling that it
induces. Additionally, a fluorescence resonance energy transfer tension sensor (FRET-TS) will be used to analyze
force on the central adapter protein in focal adhesions (Talin), an essential linkage for cell adhesion formation that
provides force dependent adhesion reinforcement and acts as a mechanosensitive signaling hub.

Keywords: Fibrotic, Hydrogel, YAP, Vinyl Sulfone, Dextran