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Whitaker International Scholar, 2007-08
Home Institution: University of Washington
Host Country, Institution: Switzerland, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
Project Title: Molecularly Engineered PEG Hydrogels for Therapeutic Angiogenesis in Cardiac Regeneration
Project Abstract:
Therapeutic angiogenesis for cardiac regeneration represents an attractive and practicable therapy, the goals of which are to limit necrosis and enhance tissue remodeling by increasing blood flow to ischemic regions of the heart. This project seeks to develop a novel cell invasion and growth factor delivery materials system for therapeutic angiogenesis. Proteolytically sensitive and cell adhesive synthetic hydrogels will be enhanced by optimization of degradation properties and by incorporation of affinity-bound angiogenic factors. It is believed that increased cellular infiltration and angiogenesis will be induced by these constructs and result in a more robust healing response when evaluated in a clinically relevant animal model of myocardial infarction.
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