When   Thursday, April 30, 2009   Time   4:00 PM - 5:00 PM  
Where   Technological Instit M345 2145 Sheridan Rd.   map it
Audience   - Faculty/Staff - Student - Public
Contact   Virginia Lorenzo   847-491-5635  
Group   McCormick - Biomedical Engineering Department
More Info   http://biomaterials.bme.northwestern.edu/

Carrie Brubaker
PhD Candidate
Biomedical Engineering Department
McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University

ABSTRACT: There is significant need for durable, biocompatible adhesives in biomedical applications. One significant challenge to glues or sealants in the surgical environment is rapid and reliable adhesion to wet tissues or in the presence of biological fluids. In response, we have generated a versatile, PEG-based adhesive hydrogel material, inspired by the robust wet adhesive properties of Mytilus edulis mussel adhesive proteins. These proteins are endowed with high content of amino acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, which has been implicated in both curing of the secreted foot pad to a hardened plaque and its tenacious adhesion to a wide variety of surfaces. We have synthesized and characterized the PEG-based polymer adhesive precursor, which undergoes rapid (<1 minute) gelation and adhesion to tissue under clinical conditions. Having established gram-scale synthesis and material biocompatibility, current adhesive applications in islet transplantation and obstetrics will also be discussed.

BIO: Carrie Brubaker is currently a PhD Candidate in Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University. In 2004, she graduated from the University of California - Los Angeles, Phi Beta Kappa and with College Honors, with a BS degree in Biochemistry and a BA degree in French and Francophone Studies.