(6lo) Defining Capture and Release Mechanisms of Biochemical Ligands in Multifunctional Biomaterials to Control Cell Function

Soluble and bound ligands cooperatively act on cells in regulating cell signaling, adhesion, and function. I am interested in bridging the interface of material science and biomedical engineering to design and fabricate a library of synthetic bioactive materials that allow to present combinations of such ligands with tunable binding affinities as a platform to better understand how these cues regulate cell signaling, and as a vehicle to control cellular function. My research plan will focus on developing novel biomaterials that feature capabilities for binding growth factors covalently and noncovalently with defined capture and release mechanisms, and establishing in vitro platforms that can be engineered to optimize the synergistic effects of growth factor signaling and matrix cues to direct cellular behavior in multiple physiological settings. The ability to harness cell behavior using these novel systems will be translated for applications in the area of functional vascularization of tissue constructs, diabetic wound healing, and controlled stem cell or organoid differentiation.

Teaching Interests:

My experiences as a teaching assistant during my graduate school had a significant impact on shaping my goals in pursuing a career in an academic environment. I participated in teaching for both undergraduate-level and graduate-level courses in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, which included lecture-based “Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering” and laboratory-based “Polymer Synthesis and Characterization Laboratory” classes. Such experience for engaging with students at different levels in various class settings gained myself tremendous passion in teaching. My philosophy and key strategy for teaching include encouraging students in classroom discussion and communication, engaging individual contribution, creating open learning environment, improving core skills such as critical thinking, problem solving and oral/written techniques. I will also focus my energy to create teamwork projects that expose students to fundamental principles for multidisciplinary subjects. My future teaching plan aims to retain and continue to evolve my passion for students growth and the formation of strong mentor/mentee relationships.

Selected Publications: (Total: 16, 11 first author/co-author)

1. Li, L.; Stiadle, J. M.; Levendoski, E. E.; Lau, H. K.; Thibeault, S. L. and Kiick, K. L. “Biocompatibility of Injectable Resilin-based Hydrogels”, Journal of Biomedical Materials Research: Part A, 2018, 106A, 2229-2242.
2. Li, L.; Eyckmans, J. and Chen, C. S. “Designer Biomaterials for Mechanobiology”, Nature Materials, 2017, 16 (12), 1164-1168.
3. Li, L.; Stiadle, J. M.; Lau, H. K.; Zerdoum, A. B.; Jia, X.; Thibeault, S. L. and Kiick, K. L. “Tissue Engineering-based Therapeutic Strategies for Vocal Fold Repair and Regeneration”, Biomaterials, 2016, 108, 91-110.
4. Li, L.; Mahara, A.; Tong, Z.; Levenson, E.; McGann, C.; Jia, X.; Yamaoka, T. and Kiick, K. L. “Recombinant Resilin-based Bioelastomers for Regenerative Medicine Applications”, Advanced Healthcare Materials, 2016, 5 (2), 266-275.
5. Li, L.; Luo, T. and Kiick, K. L. “Temperature-Triggered Phase Separation of a Hydrophilic Resilin-like Polypeptide”, Macromolecular Rapid Communications, 2015, 36 (1), 90-95.
6. Li, L. and Kiick, K. L. “Transient Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Resilin-based Elastomeric Hydrogels”, Frontiers in Chemistry, 2014, 2 (21), 20-32
7. Li, L.; Tong, Z.; Jia, X. and Kiick, K. L. “Resilin-like Polypeptide Hydrogels Engineered for Versatile Biological Function”, Soft Matter, 2013, 9 (3), 665-673.
8. Li, L.; Teller, S.; Clifton, R. J.; Jia, X. and Kiick, K. L. “Tunable Mechanical Stability and Deformation Response of a Resilin-based Elastomer”, Biomacromolecules, 2011, 12 (6), 2302-2310.

Web Page:

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Linqing_Li2

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=nrp3WaoAAAAJ&hl=en