Peripheral neural degenerative injuries lead to the formation of fibrotic scars at the site of the lesion which limits axonal regeneration resulting in loss of motor and sensory functionality. This project aims to investigate axonal extension through these fibrotic scars. In order to accomplish this, a device of PDMS and nitrocellulose membrane was designed to simulate the site of injury with a fibrotic scar. Fibroblast NIH 3T3 cells were seeded onto the nitrocellulose membrane to simulate the fibrotic scar. This scar was treated Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF2) in order to create a less dense extracellular matrix composition. To avoid unwanted fibroblast interaction with the neuron culture, the scar was decellularized before implementation into the device.

• 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 I
• Nagpal, Akshat
• Noiles Gardner, William

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-012816-124947

Advisor

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

Year

• 2016

Sponsor

• University of Nova Gorica

Date created

• 2016-01-28

Ort

• Nova Gorica

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright