Research

Due to the broad scope of our research, the Anseth group meets weekly in focused small groups related to specific research topics. In these discussions, we troubleshoot experiments, relay recent research progress, and facilitate new opportunities for collaboration.

Small Groups

Regenerative medicine & disease modeling

We use cell-laden biomaterials to model pathogenesis (e.g., fibrosis) and promote regeneration (e.g., myogenesis, osteogenesis). Specifically, we study musculoskeletal injury and repair and sexually dimorphic aortic valve fibrosis in the context of mechanobiological and biochemical signaling.

Materials & chemistry

Innovation in materials development and characterization is foundational to research in the Anseth group. We are interested in spontaneous and photoinduced “click” reactions and macromer engineering to develop ECM-mimetic materials with tunable physical and chemical properties.

Imaging & analysis

We rely heavily on microscopy for studying cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Using state-of-the-art imaging techniques (e.g., light sheet, expansion microscopy), we strive to capture the dynamics of complex biological systems and implement advanced quantitative analysis tools.

Engineered intestinal organoids

Intestinal organoids are self-organized stem cell-derived constructs that recapitulate the structure and function of the intestine in vitro. Members of this small group develop and use novel synthetic hydrogels in place of ill-defined proteinaceous matrices (e.g., Matrigel) to probe organoid mechanobiology in highly controlled microenvironments.