(19b) Multiscale Control of Biomaterials for Engineered Extracellular Matrices

Engineered extracellular matrices (ECMs) are important for cellular therapies and tissue engineering applications; however, synthetic ECMs remain less structurally and biologically complex than natural ECM. In particular, the native ECM is composed of hierarchically structured biopolymers with dynamic properties that change over time. Synthetic ECMs, however, are typically formed from disordered polymers and chemistries that lead to time-invariant properties. Toward this end, we have developed bioinspired strategies to incorporate hierarchical order and dynamic behavior into synthetic hydrogels. We will discuss the chemical and physical mechanisms that lead to multiscale control in these materials, as well as their application toward matrices for human mesenchymal stromal cell culture.