Thesis Projects and Internships
We are seeking individuals to work on the following topics for either their Thesis or Internships. If you are interested please contact Prof. Shastri at the following email.
DOCTORAL/MASTERS
Biomineralization potential of phosvitin subunits*
Bone is a bio-nanocomposite and the bone mineral phase (hydroxy apatite/carbonate apatite) is critical for extraordinary mechanical properties of bone. Non-collagenous phosphoproteins have a known role in induction of apatite mineral from the extracellular milieu. Based on fundamental discoveries from our lab on the role of disordered secondary structures in phosphoproteins in bone mineral phase formation, in this project, the ability of synthetic phosvitin-derived peptides to induce biogenic hydroxy apatite (bone mineral) using a biomimetic framework will be investigated. The project workflow elements include polymer surface modification, biomimetic assembly and characterization of the mineral phase using spectroscopy, TEM and Raman Microscopy.
*There are several projects available under this theme
Model systems for studying tumor induction, progression and metastasis*
Cancer has surpassed cardiovascular diseases to become the No 1 killer in the developed world and remains one of main challenges of 21st century medicine. While significant advances have been made in diagnosis (imaging and circulating tumor cells) and treatment (check point inhibitors, targeted nanotherapeutics), our understanding of how tumors form and mature in their primary environment before they metastasize remains to be fully elucidated. We have an over arching effort in identifying the role of stromal cells, biophysical cues (mechanobiology) and paracrine signaling in the formation, and growth of tumors. In this highly collaborative effort involving partners in Switzerland and the United States, we leverage advances made in our laboratory in synthetic engineered tumor environments (STEMs), molecular biology, gene editing, synthetic biology, 3D-bioprinting and fluidics to gain new insights into tumor formation and develop innovative platforms for studying tumor metastasis.
*There are several projects available under this theme
Development of BIOINKS*
3D-bioprinting (3DBP) is a rapidly maturing additive manufacturing technology that can be exploited to produce cellular constructs, synthetic meat, drug delivery systems and nutraceuticals. A key element in 3DBP is the bioink, which is a hydrogel forming biomaterial that can be extruded in to defined shapes and structures and can serve as carrier for cells and other biological information. We have several projects in the formulation and development of bioinks including photocurable bioinks for in line processing and printing. Project workflow elements include formulation, rheological characterization, 3D-printing, cell culture, optical microscopy and fluorescence microscopy.
*There are several projects available under this theme
3D-Printed Dermal Regeneration Templates
Skin is the largest organ and it many important functions and they include temperature regulation, barrier function (preventing the access of pathogens), moisture regulation and sensory perception. Injury to skin structure and integrity due infections, burns and diabetic ulcers can lead to life threatening conditions if not treated promptly. While small cuts and lesions in skin can heal spontaneously, large lesions that are common with burns or sustained inflammation need skin grafting. An alternative to skin grafting, which is very painful, is synthetic skin regeneration templates. Based on our ongoing efforts in the development of novel clinically translational bioinks that can can support high density of human cells, in this project, processes and paradigms to realize self-renewing stratified full-thickness skin equivalents will be developed. The student will be a part of our rapidly expanding 3D-Printing/3D-bioprinting team, and work in close cooperation with graduate students. The project workflow will include extrusion-based 3D-bioprinting, cell culture, fluorescence microscopy, histological sectioning and staining.
3D-Printing (3DP) in bone engineering
Among all areas in the biomedical space, orthopedics has been one of the most prominent and proactive adopters of 3DP technology. 3D-printed is used to model bone fractures, and also create implants for maxillofacial reconstruction, skull fragments, bone plates and bone screws. As part of our ongoing efforts to leverage 3D-bioprinting in engineering of living bone, working closely with our collaborators (scientists and clinicians) at the University Hospital Basel we are developing strategies to integrated existing approaches in bone augmentation to realize a clinically viable "personalized medicine" solution for customized living bone grafts and implants. The project involves using fused filament deposition (FFD) and stereolithographic (STL) printing to develop structures to support bone repair, reconstruction and regeneration. The student will work closely with our 3D printing core team to implement solutions and the workflow will involve computer-aided design (CAD), programming, generation of STL files for printing, printing structures on FFD and STL printers, and characterizing structures for fidelity and performance.
Stimuli actuatable biomaterials
Biomaterials that can respond to external stimuli (heat, light, humidity, vibrations) can find uses in several applications as sensors and actuators. My combining commercially available biomaterials with polymers developed in our laboratory that offer with unique processing avenues, we aim to fabricated 2D and 3D structures that can exhibit stimuli responsiveness. This project workflow will include 3D-printing and characterization using video microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The student will work as part of our ever expanding 3D printing team and have the opportunity to contribute to concept development and be part of a new effort in our research group. Ability to work independently is a must for this project.
Engineering materials for CIRCULAR economy
The environmental impact of petroleum based plastics is well documented and represents an emerging global threat to the sustainability of living ecosystems and quality of life. Regulatory requirements drafted in response to the environmental impact of plastics and changing consumer habits (and consumer awareness) are driving a unprecedented effort to develop new high-performance materials that that have zero or negative carbon footprint. Naturally occurring polymers have the potential to fulfill this need if their performance can match that of synthetic plastics. In ongoing efforts we have developed a novel paradigms to control organization and structure of biopolymer domains for processing biopolymers into sheet and laminates. We are looking for up to TWO students to work on various aspects of this project including development of sustainable, environmentally friendly, inks for 3D printing.
BACHELORS
3D printing using multimaterial fused filament deposition
Process optimization for 3D printing using multimaterial fused filament deposition. The student will learn how to 3D print objects using fused filament deposition (FFD) and work closely with our 3D-printing team comprising of several graduate students to develop custom solutions to existing projects.
UP TO THREE POSITIONS OPEN
DOCTORAL/MASTERS
Biomineralization potential of phosvitin subunits*
Bone is a bio-nanocomposite and the bone mineral phase (hydroxy apatite/carbonate apatite) is critical for extraordinary mechanical properties of bone. Non-collagenous phosphoproteins have a known role in induction of apatite mineral from the extracellular milieu. Based on fundamental discoveries from our lab on the role of disordered secondary structures in phosphoproteins in bone mineral phase formation, in this project, the ability of synthetic phosvitin-derived peptides to induce biogenic hydroxy apatite (bone mineral) using a biomimetic framework will be investigated. The project workflow elements include polymer surface modification, biomimetic assembly and characterization of the mineral phase using spectroscopy, TEM and Raman Microscopy.
*There are several projects available under this theme
Model systems for studying tumor induction, progression and metastasis*
Cancer has surpassed cardiovascular diseases to become the No 1 killer in the developed world and remains one of main challenges of 21st century medicine. While significant advances have been made in diagnosis (imaging and circulating tumor cells) and treatment (check point inhibitors, targeted nanotherapeutics), our understanding of how tumors form and mature in their primary environment before they metastasize remains to be fully elucidated. We have an over arching effort in identifying the role of stromal cells, biophysical cues (mechanobiology) and paracrine signaling in the formation, and growth of tumors. In this highly collaborative effort involving partners in Switzerland and the United States, we leverage advances made in our laboratory in synthetic engineered tumor environments (STEMs), molecular biology, gene editing, synthetic biology, 3D-bioprinting and fluidics to gain new insights into tumor formation and develop innovative platforms for studying tumor metastasis.
*There are several projects available under this theme
Development of BIOINKS*
3D-bioprinting (3DBP) is a rapidly maturing additive manufacturing technology that can be exploited to produce cellular constructs, synthetic meat, drug delivery systems and nutraceuticals. A key element in 3DBP is the bioink, which is a hydrogel forming biomaterial that can be extruded in to defined shapes and structures and can serve as carrier for cells and other biological information. We have several projects in the formulation and development of bioinks including photocurable bioinks for in line processing and printing. Project workflow elements include formulation, rheological characterization, 3D-printing, cell culture, optical microscopy and fluorescence microscopy.
*There are several projects available under this theme
3D-Printed Dermal Regeneration Templates
Skin is the largest organ and it many important functions and they include temperature regulation, barrier function (preventing the access of pathogens), moisture regulation and sensory perception. Injury to skin structure and integrity due infections, burns and diabetic ulcers can lead to life threatening conditions if not treated promptly. While small cuts and lesions in skin can heal spontaneously, large lesions that are common with burns or sustained inflammation need skin grafting. An alternative to skin grafting, which is very painful, is synthetic skin regeneration templates. Based on our ongoing efforts in the development of novel clinically translational bioinks that can can support high density of human cells, in this project, processes and paradigms to realize self-renewing stratified full-thickness skin equivalents will be developed. The student will be a part of our rapidly expanding 3D-Printing/3D-bioprinting team, and work in close cooperation with graduate students. The project workflow will include extrusion-based 3D-bioprinting, cell culture, fluorescence microscopy, histological sectioning and staining.
3D-Printing (3DP) in bone engineering
Among all areas in the biomedical space, orthopedics has been one of the most prominent and proactive adopters of 3DP technology. 3D-printed is used to model bone fractures, and also create implants for maxillofacial reconstruction, skull fragments, bone plates and bone screws. As part of our ongoing efforts to leverage 3D-bioprinting in engineering of living bone, working closely with our collaborators (scientists and clinicians) at the University Hospital Basel we are developing strategies to integrated existing approaches in bone augmentation to realize a clinically viable "personalized medicine" solution for customized living bone grafts and implants. The project involves using fused filament deposition (FFD) and stereolithographic (STL) printing to develop structures to support bone repair, reconstruction and regeneration. The student will work closely with our 3D printing core team to implement solutions and the workflow will involve computer-aided design (CAD), programming, generation of STL files for printing, printing structures on FFD and STL printers, and characterizing structures for fidelity and performance.
Stimuli actuatable biomaterials
Biomaterials that can respond to external stimuli (heat, light, humidity, vibrations) can find uses in several applications as sensors and actuators. My combining commercially available biomaterials with polymers developed in our laboratory that offer with unique processing avenues, we aim to fabricated 2D and 3D structures that can exhibit stimuli responsiveness. This project workflow will include 3D-printing and characterization using video microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The student will work as part of our ever expanding 3D printing team and have the opportunity to contribute to concept development and be part of a new effort in our research group. Ability to work independently is a must for this project.
Engineering materials for CIRCULAR economy
The environmental impact of petroleum based plastics is well documented and represents an emerging global threat to the sustainability of living ecosystems and quality of life. Regulatory requirements drafted in response to the environmental impact of plastics and changing consumer habits (and consumer awareness) are driving a unprecedented effort to develop new high-performance materials that that have zero or negative carbon footprint. Naturally occurring polymers have the potential to fulfill this need if their performance can match that of synthetic plastics. In ongoing efforts we have developed a novel paradigms to control organization and structure of biopolymer domains for processing biopolymers into sheet and laminates. We are looking for up to TWO students to work on various aspects of this project including development of sustainable, environmentally friendly, inks for 3D printing.
BACHELORS
3D printing using multimaterial fused filament deposition
Process optimization for 3D printing using multimaterial fused filament deposition. The student will learn how to 3D print objects using fused filament deposition (FFD) and work closely with our 3D-printing team comprising of several graduate students to develop custom solutions to existing projects.
UP TO THREE POSITIONS OPEN
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