Norbornene functionalized carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogels for organotypic cochlear culture

Principal Investigator: William Gramlich (Chemistry, UMaine)

Partners: Basile Tarchini (The Jackson Laboratory)

Abstract: Biomedical researchers studying cochlear development desire 3D cell and organ culture materials that mimic the spatiotemporal nature of the native extracellular matrix (ECM). In the proposed work, norbornene functionalized carboxymethyl cellulose (NorCMC) hydrogels will be investigated to retain the structure and viability of cochlea explants during culture. Chemistry will be developed to spatiotemporally modify the NorCMC hydrogel to mimic changes to the ECM during cochlea development. By completing these tasks, NorCMC hydrogels will be validated for cell and organ culture, creating a possible high-value product for Maine forest bioproducts and preliminary data for future federal funding. Moreover, a senior chemistry Ph.D. student will gain valuable biomedical experience through this interdisciplinary project that will prepare her for a career in biotechnology.