Jae-Won Shin
Email Address: shinjw@uic.eduCollege: Medicine Department: Pharmacology
Secondary Department: Bioengineering
Title: Assistant Professor
Phone: 312-355-4435
Webpage: http://www.sculptingregeneration.org
Participating in the Chancellor’s Undergraduate Research Awards program: Yes
Research Interest:
The Sculpting Regeneration lab is developing new regenerative therapeutics by interfacing cell biology with physical and digital approaches to biomaterial design. It has become increasingly appreciated that cells generate contractile forces and respond to different types of mechanical information encoded in materials, such as elasticity and shear, to control their own functions. We are investigating how physical cues influence different stem cell functions and applying these insights to design new stem cell therapy products, control stem cell delivery, and target stem cells in the body. In particular, we are looking at how mechanics can control the ability of cells to communicate with each other by secreting growth and immunological factors. In parallel, we are developing different approaches to coat individual cells in thin micro-to-nanoscale hydrogels with defined mechanical properties, enabling the digital control of mechanical biology. We are also developing new synthetic microgels that can be used to recapitulate key physical properties of cells and serve as basic units for tissue assembly. Success of these efforts will lay a foundation not only for the next-generation digital fabrication of functional tissues, but also for the control of tissue regeneration directly in the body. Minimum time commitment in hours per week: 12 Qualifications of a Student:
* Preferred background: Biomedical engineering or sciences
* Minimum GPA: 3.5
* Priorities will be given to Honors College/GPPA students
* Previous lab experience in biomedical engineering or sciences is encouraged Brief Summary of what is expected from the student:
* Commitment to work for at least 12 hours per week, consistently in lab 3~4 hours per day
* Commitment to work in the lab for at least a year given satisfactory performance
* A strong work ethic
* Ability to quickly learn new techniques and execute them
* Attention to details and follow directions precisely
* Ability to work as a part of the team
Students will meet with Dr. Shin biweekly to evaluate their progress.
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