Peripheral neural degenerative injuries lead to the formation of fibrotic scars at the site of the lesion which limits axonal regeneration. This project aims to investigate axonal extension through these fibrotic scars by constructing a device with PDMS and nitrocellulose membrane was designed to simulate the site of injury with a fibrotic scar. NIH 3T3 cells were seeded onto the nitrocellulose membrane to simulate the fibrotic scar. This scar was treated FGF2 in order to create a less dense extracellular matrix composition. The device was successful in replicating the environment of a peripheral nerve injury but provided inconclusive results. The validation of the individual parameters of the device suggest future use of treated fibrotic scar in overcoming axonal injuries.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Mattie, Breahna Irene
• Noiles Gardner, William Dao
• Nagpal, Akshat

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-012816-123715

Advisor

• Dominko, Tanja
• Kmiotek, Stephen J.
• Page, Raymond L.

Year

• 2016

Sponsor

• University of Nova Gorica

Date created

• 2016-01-28

Emplacement

• Nova Gorica

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright