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A method of treatment for various diseases incorporates the encapsulation of cells and tissues and the time-released delivery of chemical mediators. Presently, this method encounters a slew of problems, including a lack of biocompatibility, limited immunoprotective properties, and hypoxia. The client desires the development of microcapsules that would permit the successful release of hormones (namely, testosterone and inhibin) by encapsulated cells into animals, while avoiding the aforementioned problems.
We have finished the semester with a bioprinter that will print solutions of a specified size using a drawn picture file. We were able to send 8 kDa PEG through the nozzle without a problem and have begun printing the PEG solution into oil in order to determine the emulsion properties. We have not yet sent cells nor modified PEG through, though we plan on doing these in the future. Work on specific areas of the project will continue throughout the summer and next year.
| Week | Reporting Period Beginning | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | January 21 | Selected project. |
| 2 | January 28 | Met with our client and obtained detailed design requirements. Began background research. |
| 3 | February 4 | Further background research on capsule and cross-linking materials. Met with client to discuss progress. Began working on presentation. |
| 4 | February 11 | Background research into properties of materials and cross-linking methods. Completed table evaluating various materials. |
| 5 | February 18 | Gave midsemester presentation. Completed midsemester report and updated PDS. |
| 6 | February 25 | Divide into teams to continue with PEG-HA composite capsule and further research glycosaminoglycans. Investigate raw materials and instruments. |
| 7 | March 4 | Begin purchasing needed materials for generation of capsules. |
| 8 | March 11 | Modification of Printer for capsules |
| 9 | March 18 | Initial experimentation into capsule generation. |
| 10 | March 25 | Testing of capsule formation. |
| 11 | April 1 | Continued testing. |
| 12 | April 8 | Evaluation of current microcapsules and their generating process. |
| 13 | April 22 | Finish and give final poster presentation. |
| 14 | April 29 | Complete final semester paper. |
| 15 | May 6 | Final Meeting with advisor. Evaluation of semester final status of project. |
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Midsemester Presentation (Feb 17 2005, 419 kb) |
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Midsemester Report (Feb 25 2005, 226 kb) |
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Final Poster (May 2 2005, 1035 kb) |
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Final Paper (May 4 2005, 305 kb) |
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Product Design Specifications (May 4 2005, 21 kb) |
