Project Grant 2223318

This three-year, $598,468 project grant from the National Science Foundation's Engineering Directorate (CFDA 47.041) will support research at Rowan University to improve understanding of astrocyte mechanobiology following central nervous system injury. The grantee will use magnetically active hydrogels to interrogate how dynamically changing tissue stiffness affects astrocyte contribution to glial scar formation after spinal cord injury. Experiments will characterize mechanical property changes in an ex vivo spinal cord injury model and mimic them in vitro to study astrocyte transcriptomic responses. Both temporal and spatial gradients of viscoelastic mechanics will be explored. Additionally, the grantee will implement a "Science and Movement" early childhood education program introducing children to magnetic applications in science and engineering. Overall, this work aims to advance knowledge of astrocyte mechanics and potentially lead to new spinal cord injury treatments restoring lost function.