Peyton Krajcarski
Pronouns: sher/her/hers
Research Mentor(s): Todd Herron
Co-Presenter:
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Internal Medicine and Cardiology / Medicine
Presentation Date: April 20
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: Session 6 – 4:40pm – 5:30 pm
Room: League Ballroom
Authors: Peyton Krajcarski, Todd Herron
Presenter: 50
Abstract
Cardiomyocytes are heart cells generated in a laboratory setting through stem cell cultures. Once enough cardiomyocytes are generated, with added collagen a microtissue will form and contract like human heart tissues. The current investigation aims to generate these three-dimensional microtissues of which the calcium transience, or the contractions of the heart, can be measured via fluorescence. Therefore, creating an opportunity for more effective research because these three-dimensional microtissues mimic the behavior of the heart under specific conditions and medication. Once these three-dimensional microtissues are generated, their success will be determined via cameras and computer imaging. However, said cameras need to be engineered to image the entire microtissue properly, and in some cases, the movement of an attached magnet. Therefore, an imaging system will be established using different lights, lenses, and camera heights before the time of imaging. The magnetic system, only used on rare occasions, will be run and measured through MATLAB and electronic sensing technology. To develop the three-dimensional microtissues, stem cells are differentiated into cardiomyocytes, then treated with collagen to generate the desired microtissues. Through this research, three-dimensional microtissues should be generated and imaged successfully, resulting in the opportunity for optical mapping and plotting of fluorescence data. In this process, a large-scale camera that properly images the contractions of three-dimensional microtissues was developed using engineering skills. Laboratory skills and procedures were also perfected via trial, error, and repetition. The success of this research will provide innovation to the field of stem cell research, especially in cardiovascular medicine, and the creation of hearts from stem cells rather than cells from human hearts.
Natural/Life Sciences
