Patient matched myometrial and fibroid cells are studied. The effects of substrate stiffness, mechanical strain, and compression are studied at the cell and tissue level. This is a collaborative project with Suruchi Thakore, MD in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Elastin Synthesis
Adult cells produce elastin during the third trimester of pregnancy; the majority is then degraded postpartum. During the third trimester, hormone levels are high, the uterus has been stretched, and the uterine contractions are stronger. A) preovulatory uterine contractions B) menstruation mimetic contractions, c) sine wave that we are using to mimic. A&B are from Hendricks 1966 Am J Obstet & Gynecol.
Innervated Skin
An innervated skin model is being developed for the study of chronic pain, chronic itch, and mechanisms of somatosensation. A bilayered scaffold is being developed as part of this and for use as for skin substitutes. This is being done in collaboration with Steve Davidson, PhD, Gregory Harris, PhD, Leyla Esfandiari, and Dorothy Supp, Phd.
