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Husnah Hussein

Effects of Mechanical Stimulation on Tissue Engineered Constructs

PhD Supervisor(s): Yang Liu, David Williams

Loughborough Univerrsity

Contact Email:   H.Hussein@lboro.ac.uk

Undergraduate Degree: MEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering (Loughborough University)

PhD Summary

Just as growth factors do, biomechanical cues such as intrinsic extracellular matrix (ECM) properties of tissues and mechanical loading conditions can modulate cell fate and function. This project aims to investigate the influence of hydrogel design and the mechanical forces simulated by a physiologically-relevant bioreactor on the differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (HMSCs) into a nucleus pulposus-like phenotype.

The aim of my work is to design scaffolds to deliver mechanical signals to regulate stem cell fate, improve bioreactor performance and evaluate the role of mechanical stimulation conditions including hydrostatic pressure, uniaxial compression and fluid flow induced shear stress on the growth and differentiation of MSCs with or without the use of growth factors.

Skills & Techniques 

  • Cell culture techniques: 2D culture of human mesenchymal stem cells (HMSCs) and encapsulation of HMSCs in alginate.
  • Cell and ECM analysis platforms: haemocytometer, automated cell counter, microplate reader, light microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, RT-PCR, flow cytometry, tissue processor, microtome.
  • Biochemical assays (alcian blue staining, hoechst DNA, Dimethyl methylene blue assay) and cell-based assays (trypan blue, alamarblue, calcein am, ethidium homodimer).
  • Rheology and compression characterization of hydrogels.
  • Operation and maintenance of a software-controlled tri-axial bioreactor system that applies uniaxial compression, perfusion and hydrostatic pressure to four 3D constructs.
  • Experimental fluid dynamics including building test rigs for flow and pressure measurement and modifying the design and configuration of the tri-axial bioreactor to optimize performance.

Publications, Presentations and Awards

Publications

  • Nikolaev NI, Liu Y, Hussein H, Williams DJ, J R Soc Interface. 9:2503-2515, 2012.
  • Sakai R, John B, Okamoto M, Seppälä JV, Vaithilingam J, Hussein H, et al., Macromol. Mater. Eng, 2013.
  • Hussein H, Liu Y, Naing MW, Williams, DJ. Proceedings of ISB Congress 23, Brussels, Belgium, 2011.

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