Microcarrier Engineering. Polymer particle production by Membrane Emulsification for cell culture and release
PhD Supervisor(s): Richard Holdich
Contact Email: M.P.Vamanu@lboro.ac.uk
Undergraduate Degree: Biochemical Engineering, “Babes-Bolyai” University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
PhD Summary
My project aims to apply the Membrane Emulsification technique for production of temperature and pH responsive polymer particles to be further used for cell culture and release without the need for proteolytic enzymes and only based on temperature stimuli.
This includes the optimisation of recipe formulations for production of polymer particles, modelling droplet size prediction based on Membrane Emulsification whilst also characterising produced particles using a variety of techniques including: Mechanical properties by rheometry, Surface analysis by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Size and size distribution analysis by microscopy, ImageJ software analysis and laser diffraction techniques, UV/VIS spectroscopy
I have also completed cytotoxicity testing: in vitro testing using 3T3 fibroblasts, and TCPS cell culture and maintenance for the following cell lines: 3T3 fibroblasts, ep2102 embryonic carcinoma, H9 human embryonic stem cells cultured as single cells on Matrigel with mTeSR1 completely defined medium.
The final part of my project has been 3D cell culture on microcarriers in static conditions using 3T3 fibroblasts, ep2102 embryonic carcinoma and H9 human embryonic stem cells along with cell characterization: cell counts, cell viability assays, immuno-fluorescence assays, flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy assays, microplate reader assays.
Publications, Presentations and Awards
Publications
Awards
