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Research Areas
Optical Monitoring of Cell-Matrix
Interactions in Engineered Tissues
The main goal of this project is to use, optimize and develop high-resolution imaging techniques
with optical sectioning capabilities, such as confocal, multi-photon fluorescence and second
harmonic generation, to identify cells and matrix components non-invasively, using endogenous
sources of optical contrast. Such methods are used to monitor cell-matrix interactions within
three-dimensional engineered tissues to identify parameters that are optimal for functional
tissue development.
We are focusing on silk and collagen based scaffolds and their interactions with epithelial and
stem cells. Silk is a biocompatible material, whose unique strength and toughness make it a
potentially very useful substrate for engineering tissues such as bone and cartilage. In
collaboration, with professor David Kaplan, we are exploring how different processing methods
and scaffold designs affect cell differentiation and matrix remodeling. We are also interested
in exploring the effects of electrical and mechanical stimulation of cells on tissue development.
Collagen is the most prominent protein in human tissues and provides the major structural
support network for tissues. Its interactions with cells play key roles in tissue engineering
and the development of many diseases, including cancer. We are working with professor Karl Munger
and professor Jonathan Garlick to characterize and monitor optically cell-matrix interactions that
are relevant to cancer development in collagen based engineered epithelial tissues.
Collaborators:
Jonathan Garlick, Tufts School of Dental Medicine, Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology
David Kaplan, Tufts University, Department of Biomedical Engineering
Karl Munger, Harvard Medical School, Department of Pathology
Abstracts and Conference Proceedings:
- Georgakoudi I, Tsai I, Kaplan D. Optical Spectroscopy and Imaging
as a Tool for Characterizing Silk as a Novel Biomaterial for Tissue Engineering
Applications. Biomedical Topical Meeting of the Optical Society of America, Ft.
Lauderdale, FL, Mar19-23, 2006. Technical Digest.
- Greiner Cg, L Stucenskig, et al.,
Tryptophan, NADH and FAD autofluorescence imaging of normal, pre-cancerous and
cancerous epithelial cells. Gordon Research Conference: Lasers in Medicine and
Biology, July 2-7, 2006.
- W. Riceg, S. Firdous , J. Mauney, V. Volloch, D.
Kaplan and I. Georgakoudi. Optical, non-invasive monitoring of stem cell
differentiation into adipogenic and osteogenic pathways. Gordon Research
Conference: Lasers in Medicine and Biology, July 2-7, 2006.
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Georgakoudi I, Firdous S, Rice Wg, Tsai I,
Kaplan D. Optical imaging and spectroscopy for non-invasive characterization of
biomaterials in tissue engineering. 1st Annual conference on Methods
in Bioengineering, Boston MA, July 17-21 2006.
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Georgakoudi I, Rice Wg, Firdous S, Mauney J,
Volloch V, Kaplan D. Imaging of intrinsic optical stem cell changes in
engineered tissues. Presented at the Annual meeting of the Optical Society of
America, Rochester NY, October 2006.
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J. Xylasu,
J. Levittg, C. Egles, J.
Garlick, I. Georgakoudi. Multi-photon imaging of endogenous chromophores
in engineered normal and (pre-) cancerous tissues. Biomedical Engineering
Society Annual Fall Meeting Friday, Oct 13 2006 Chicago, Illinois.
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W. Riceg, C. Bayang, S. Firdous , J.
Mauney, V. Volloch, D. Kaplan and I. Georgakoudi. Optical, non-invasive
monitoring of stem cell differentiation into adipogenic and osteogenic pathways.
SPIE Photonics West, San Jose CA, January 20-25, 2007.
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Georgakoudi I, Canizzarro C, Lovett Mg,
Vunjak-Novakovic G, Kaplan D. Progress in Imaging Methods Related to Tissue
Engineering. SPIE Photonics West, San Jose CA, January 20-25, 2007.
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Georgakoudi I, Rice Wg, Firdous S, Kim HJ, Preda
C, Wang W, Kaplan D. Characterization of the non-linear optical properties of
silk as a novel biomaterial for tissue engineering. SPIE Photonics West, San
Jose CA, January 20-25, 2007.
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Georgakoudi I, Rice Wg, Tsai I, Firdous S, Gupta
S, Kaplan D. Characterization of linear and non-linear optical properties of
biomaterials in engineered tissues. 16th International Conference on
Dynamical Processes in Excited States of Solids. Segovia Spain, June 17-21,
2007.
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Levitt Jg, McLaughlin-Drubin M, Xylas Ju,
Garlick J, Munger K, Georgakoudi I. Quantitative characterization of
biochemical and morphological changes of engineered normal, dysplastic and
cancerous tissues. Engineering Conferences International:
Advances In Optics For Biotechnology, Medicine And Surgery, Naples FL,
June 11-14, 2007.Accepted
Papers
Georgakoudi I, Tsai I, Greiner Cg, Wong Cg,
DeFelice Jg, Kaplan D. Intrinsic fluorescence changes
associated with the structural conformation of silk fibroin in biomaterial
matrices. Optics Express 2007;15: 1043-1053.
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