Abstract:
Enabling technology platforms for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine research
CHAN PUI BARBARA
SBS, iTERM, BME, CUHK
The research focus of the Tissue Engineering Lab at CUHK centers around bioengineering of cell- and biomaterial-based complex living tissue substitutes for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. During the prolonged journey of developing engineered tissues for regenerative medicine purposes, we have faced many technical challenges associated with the major components of engineered tissues including stem cells, biomaterials and cell niche signals. A handful of technology platforms were developed to enable and facilitate research in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine research, including but are not limited to (1) a multiphoton microfabrication and micropatterning (MMM) technology to define the cell niche interactions; (2) a multi-level mechano-regulation (MMR) platform to facilitate mechano-characterization and manipulation of cells and tissues; and (3) a biomimetic biomacromolecular microencapsulation (BBM) platform to facilitate physiologically relevant scaffolding. In this seminar, the rationales, the technological capability and the relevant applications will be discussed.
Biography:
Prof. CHAN Pui Barbara （陳佩） obtained her Bachelor degree in Biochemistry and PhD degree in Surgical Science from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She received Postdoctoral Fellowship in Laser Medicine from the Massachusetts General Hospital in US. Prof. Chan served the Biomedical Engineering programme of the University of Hong Kong and 2003. She joined the School of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Institute of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, of the Chinese University of Hong Kong since 2023. Prof. Chan established the Tissue Engineering Laboratory with the vision to improve the quality of life in patients through bioengineering biomaterials- and stem cell-based tissues for personalized therapies. Her research interests centered around tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, natural and biomimetic biomaterials, multi-cellular organoids and tumoroids, mechano-regulation, multiphoton microfabrication and micropatterning, cell niche engineering and laser medicine. Prof. Chan obtained her professional membership (Biomedical Engineering) and the status of Chartered Engineer and Chartered Scientist from the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining IMMM) since 2015. She has been a registered authorized person (AP) for advanced therapeutic products (ATPs) in Hong Kong since 2020. She has served the professional community in many areas, such as being an Associate Editor in Biomaterials from 2017 to 2024, a panel member for the European Research Council since 2022, a member of the Task Force on Regulations of ATPs in Hong Kong from 2017 to 2021.