University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Graduate School
Doi
Abstract
Tissue engineering research is a multidisciplinary effort that incorporates the use of resources from various fields to address specific problems. Biomatrix scaffolds have recently been more widely used to improve the culture of cells by supporting their differentiated functions more than any known matrix extract or purified matrix component. However, they are not readily converted to industrial scale usage. Additionally, improved imaging techniques using ultrasound have been developed and are being used to characterize the biomatrix scaffolds in more detail to assess which preparation might be best for industrially scaled studies. The primary objective of this thesis was to identify methods that would most optimally use the biomatrix scaffold extracts while preserving the critical components of the matrix but in a way that was scalable for use in industry. We also demonstrate the use of novel ultrasound technologies that are non-invasive and non-destructive in the evaluation of biomatrix scaffolds.Master of Scienc
