Embedded Files
Engineering Dynamic Tissue Microenvironments to Uncover Mechanisms of Disease
Engineering Dynamic Tissue Microenvironments to Uncover Mechanisms of Disease
The Friend Lab will integrate biomaterials engineering and programmable chemistries to develop advanced human tissue models for investigating how extracellular matrix properties regulate multicellular function. By engineering experimental systems with control over the tissue microenvironment, we aim to uncover fundamental mechanisms of cell-matrix interactions and tissue dysfunction, with particular interest in immune-vascular communication and disease-associated remodeling.
The Friend Lab will integrate biomaterials engineering and programmable chemistries to develop advanced human tissue models for investigating how extracellular matrix properties regulate multicellular function. By engineering experimental systems with control over the tissue microenvironment, we aim to uncover fundamental mechanisms of cell-matrix interactions and tissue dysfunction, with particular interest in immune-vascular communication and disease-associated remodeling.
Programmable Multicellular Tissue Models
Programmable Multicellular Tissue Models
Developing controllable systems to dissect multicellular interactions
Developing controllable systems to dissect multicellular interactions
I am interested in engineering multicellular tissue models that combine biologically relevant complexity with precise experimental control. By integrating biomaterials with three-dimensional and perfusable culture systems, these platforms can provide opportunities to investigate how extracellular matrix properties influence vascular organization, immune cell behavior, and communication among cell populations.
Focuses: vascularization • inflammation • immune-vascular interactions • microphysiological systems
Dynamic Microenvironments in Disease
Dynamic Microenvironments in Disease
Establishing causality during disease progression
Establishing causality during disease progression
Disease progression is accompanied by evolving changes in extracellular matrix composition, mechanics, and architecture that influence interactions among multiple cell populations. My future research will explore how dynamic tissue microenvironments contribute to cellular dysfunction and disease progression, with particular interest in neurovascular biology and neurodegenerative disease. Engineered human tissue models offer opportunities to investigate these relationships under experimentally controlled conditions.
Focuses: ECM remodeling • disease progression • tissue dysfunction • microenvironmental history
Biologically Informed Materials
Biologically Informed Materials
Engineering the complexity that tissues actually require
Engineering the complexity that tissues actually require
My research will explore how natural, synthetic, and hybrid biomaterials can be engineered to reproduce essential features of native tissue microenvironments while maintaining experimental control. By integrating biological insights with materials design, I aim to identify which biochemical, mechanical, and architectural properties are most important for supporting tissue-specific function and develop adaptable materials strategies for engineering physiologically relevant tissues.
Focuses: natural/synthetic/hybrid biomaterials • tissue-specific ECM • spatial organization • biology-driven material design
Current & Future Applications
Current & Future Applications
Engineered systems for discovering mechanisms across tissues and diseases
Engineered systems for discovering mechanisms across tissues and diseases
My research spans biomaterials design, vascular tissue engineering, and the development of experimentally controlled tissue models. Building on established work in vascularization and dynamic biomaterials, I am interested in extending these approaches to investigate immune-vascular interactions, disease-associated microenvironmental remodeling, and tissue-specific function. These directions offer opportunities to connect fundamental materials engineering with mechanistic biological discovery across diverse tissues and disease contexts.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse