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Abstract
Fibroblasts play a vital role in tissue repair, ECM remodeling, and maintaining structural integrity in human tissues. However, their behavior in engineered 3D microenvironments remains poorly understood. Traditional 2D cultures fail to capture the complex cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions that govern fibroblast alignment, migration, and proliferation in vivo. To address this gap, this project uses bioprinted scaffolds that mimic native ECM structures and provide a platform for studying fibroblast behavior in controlled microenvironments. The project focuses on varying scaffold channel properties—such as width, depth, and geometry—to investigate how physical cues influence fibroblast organization and collective migration. A biodegradable gelatin-based ECM material will be used to ensure biocompatibility and long-term culture stability while maintaining uniform surface morphology. By adjusting these geometric parameters, we aim to replicate physiologically relevant environments that guide fibroblast alignment and matrix remodeling, as observed in wound healing or tissue regeneration. This work seeks to overcome limitations in current bioengineering approaches that often fail to achieve consistent 3D cell organization and mechanical integrity. Through systematic comparison of scaffold designs, we expect to identify how fibroblasts respond to spatial confinement, stiffness variations, and surface topology. The resulting platform will enable the visualization and quantification of fibroblast dynamics, providing new insight into the role of physical cues in ECM synthesis and tissue architecture. Ultimately, these customizable scaffolds could serve as valuable models for studying fibrosis, wound repair, and soft tissue regeneration.
Publication Date
2026
Subject Major(s)
physics, biology, biomedical
Keywords
fibroblasts, 3D cell culture, bioprinting, tissue engineering
Disciplines
Biological Engineering | Biology | Biomaterials | Molecular, Cellular, and Tissue Engineering
Current Academic Year
Junior
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Daeha Joung
Rights
© The Author(s)
Included in
Biological Engineering Commons, Biology Commons, Biomaterials Commons, Molecular, Cellular, and Tissue Engineering Commons