The Richbourg lab spans fundamental biomaterials research and translational application to clinical problems. Projects will develop around the skills and interests of the lab members, but leading directions are the development of fundamental models describing structure-property relationships in hydrogels, refining 3D tissue-mimicking cell culture implementation and analysis for modeling cell-environment interactions, and addressing disease mechanisms in the bone marrow microenvironment, including cancer, aging, and dysregulated hematopoiesis.
Hydrogel Design
Our hydrogel design approach is based on the Swollen Polymer Network (SPN) model, developed by Dr. Richbourg during his PhD. Currently, the SPN model connects four fundamental structural parameters to three physical properties (swelling, stiffness, and solute transport), but the intention is to continue refining the accuracy and breadth of applicability of the model. The idea of modular hydrogel design builds on the SPN model to create application-optimized hydrogels, including addressing important biochemical properties. The latest information on the SPN model and modular hydrogel design principles are available at our tutorial website, hydrogeldesign.org.