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Tissue Model of The Epithelial Mesenchymal Trophic Unit

A 3D scaffold that can mimic properties and functions of in-vivo ECM and will be compatible with the lung epithelial cells used for experimentation.

Project Overview

A multitude of chronic lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, and COPD can cause damage to epithelial tissues of the lungs. This presents a problem because when this tissue is damaged a fibrotic response is triggered in sub-epithelial fibroblasts that results in further disease and fibrosis. There are currently no scaffolds that accurately model the lung extracellular matrix and its changes due to cell injury, specifically the following properties in combination: varying mechanical stiffness and tension, porosity, incorporation of collagen and fibronectin within ECM, and cell adhesive properties. Dr. Brasier of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health requires a scaffold that meets these criteria while having a uniform and replicable composition that allows for epithelial cell culture at an ALI.

Team Picture

Sara Morehouse, Caitriona Treacy, Carley Schwartz, Elijah Diederich, Althys Cao, Ana Martinez
Sara Morehouse, Caitriona Treacy, Carley Schwartz, Elijah Diederich, Althys Cao, Ana Martinez

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Contact Information

Team Members

  • Ms. Carley Schwartz - Team Leader
  • Caitriona Treacy - Communicator
  • Elijah Diederich - BSAC
  • Althys Cao - Co-BWIG
  • Sara Morehouse - Co-BWIG
  • Ana Martinez - BPAG

Advisor and Client

  • Prof. William Murphy - Advisor
  • Dr. Allan Brasier - Client

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