EAGER: Building a Framework to Advance Research through Undergraduate Participation: Investigating pH in 3D Tissue Test Systems

EAGER：通过本科生参与构建推进研究的框架：研究 3D 组织测试系统中的 pH 值

• 批准号: 1451319
• 负责人: Karen Burg
• 金额: $ 6.99万
• 依托单位: Clemson University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2014
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2014-09-01 至 2019-03-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1451319&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: EAGER; Building; Framework; Advance; Research

Proposal: 1451319PI: Burg, KarenTitle: EAGER: Building a Framework to Advance Research through Undergraduate Participation: Investigating pH in 3D Tissue Test SystemsThis EAGER award will lead to the development of methods for both constructing complex three dimensional tissues, but also deconstructing the tissues after use such that each layer of the tissue can be analyzed. Developing new techniques for tissue construction that allow facile layer by layer deconstruction or dis-assembly of tissues will allow investigators to ask for the first time how the role of spatial gradients of chemicals, along with cell to cell contacts, impacts the survival and function of individual cells within the tissue and eventually overall tissue function. Along with this innovative research program, the PI will also develop novel mentoring strategies for undergraduates engaged in research. She poses some unconventional hypotheses about a fused research and mentoring methodology which she believes will lead to greater retention of diverse students in STEM fields. With funds from this award, the PI aims to develop a scalable model of fused research and mentoring that will potentially have a high impact on undergraduate research and training, and retention of students engaged in such activities.The overarching theme of the proposed work is to quantify and evaluate the role of pH in tissue system applications. To this end, a novel, heterogeneous 3D bench-top system will be developed to model tissue engineered breast and bone. Unlike conventional 3D tissue systems, the breast model will incorporate stacked layers with "peel-able" design, in which each layer has specific characteristics. This design is also unique in that the model may be easily taken apart and analyzed. The orthopedic model will incorporate gel and a ceramic bone graft filler and will explore acidic to basic ranges of pH shift. The breast model will incorporate gel and polymeric beads and will explore neutral to acidic ranges of pH shift. Following culture of either model, the system will be deconstructed, layer by layer, and pH test liquid applied to spots across each paper. In this manner a pH map will be constructed. If successful, the stacking approach will allow, for the first time, mapping of the interior of tissue engineered systems. At the same time the PI will build on a previous Research Experience for Minorities (REM) program to test new methods to provide critical thinking skills to undergraduates engaged in research. She will use a scientific approach to gathering and analyzing data related to the efficacy of current undergraduate research courses and a team-based undergraduate research opportunity as the means to teach critical thinking through research. The results of this study will help provide guidance as to where limited university resources should be applied to provide wide-scale research participation by undergraduates and maximize research results while addressing the need to improve the critical thinking skills of the participants.

提案：1451319PI：Burg，Karen 标题：EAGER：通过本科生参与构建推进研究的框架：调查 3D 组织测试系统中的 pH 该 EAGER 奖项将导致开发用于构建复杂三维组织以及解构组织后的方法。使用以便可以分析组织的每一层。 开发组织构建新技术，允许轻松地逐层解构或拆卸组织，这将使研究人员首次询问化学物质的空间梯度以及细胞与细胞接触的作用如何影响组织的存活和功能。组织内的单个细胞以及最终的整体组织功能。 除了这一创新研究计划外，PI 还将为从事研究的本科生制定新颖的指导策略。 她提出了一些关于融合研究和指导方法的非传统假设，她相信这将有助于更多地保留 STEM 领域的多元化学生。 借助该奖项的资金，PI 旨在开发一种可扩展的融合研究和指导模型，这可能会对本科生研究和培训以及保留参与此类活动的学生产生重大影响。拟议工作的总体主题是量化和评估 pH 在组织系统应用中的作用。为此，我们将开发一种新颖的异构 3D 台式系统来模拟组织工程乳房和骨骼。与传统的 3D 组织系统不同，乳房模型将采用“可剥离”设计的堆叠层，其中每一层都有特定的特性。这种设计的独特之处还在于模型可以轻松拆卸和分析。骨科模型将采用凝胶和陶瓷骨移植填料，并将探索酸性到碱性的 pH 值变化范围。乳房模型将结合凝胶和聚合物珠，并将探索中性到酸性的 pH 值变化范围。培养任一模型后，系统将被逐层解构，并将 pH 测试液体涂在每张纸上的斑点上。以这种方式，将构建 pH 图。如果成功，堆叠方法将首次能够绘制组织工程系统的内部图谱。 与此同时，PI 将在之前的少数民族研究经验 (REM) 项目的基础上测试新方法，为从事研究的本科生提供批判性思维技能。 她将使用科学方法收集和分析与当前本科生研究课程的有效性相关的数据，并提供基于团队的本科生研究机会，作为通过研究教授批判性思维的手段。这项研究的结果将有助于提供指导，说明应将有限的大学资源应用于何处，以提供本科生的广泛研究参与，并最大限度地提高研究成果，同时满足提高参与者批判性思维技能的需求。