Research Interests: Tissue function emerges from the synergy between resident cells and the extracellular matrix, which together provide key mechanical infrastructure and a reservoir of biological cues. With age, tissues experience functional decline, driven in part by changes in both the cells and the surrounding matrix. To understand what it means to age, and how we might prevent or even reverse aspects of the aging process, the Gilchrist Lab uses biomaterials and stem cells to engineer artificial tissues. These model systems allow us to uncover the biological mechanisms that guide cells toward ‘young’ or ‘aged’ states. Using mechanical and polymer modeling, we characterize the dynamic alterations to biological tissues and gels across a large range of stress, strain, and lifespans. Informed by these measurements, we design synthetic and naturally derived polymers, combine them with human induced pluripotent stem cells, and grow organoids, which are small, self-assembled constructs that recapitulate key functional, structural, and cellular features of native tissue. We are especially interested in aging of the blood and immune system, which undergo marked functional decline with age. During normal development, the bone marrow, which regulates the blood and immune stem cells, provides essential mechanical cues that regulate cellular activity. With age, however, the mechanics of the bone marrow are dramatically altered. By leveraging our in vitro tissue platforms, we study how these age-related changes in the bone marrow contribute to the decline of the blood and immune system. Through this work, we aim to advance the fields of stem cells, aging, and rejuvenation
