We are interested in a family of problems using thermodynamics and heat transfer applied to biological systems.  For example, transport of nanoparticles or protective agents in cells and tissues is important for a host of applications including drug delivery and cryopreservation.  We are also interested in diffusion-based extraction of contaminants that affect the safety of cells given therapeutically.   Studying phase changes (or suppression of phase changes) is also important with applications involving cell drying and cell and tissue preservation.

Our work in biomechanics is directly linked to our interest in biothermodynamics through projects studying solidification, changes in tissue microstructure and the influence on the biomechanical properties of connective tissues.  Phase change for materials processing and multiphase materials are also being applied to thefield of tissue engineering in the development of a tissue engineered cornea.

News

Jan 2008
•Influence of Matrix Processing on the Optical and Biomechanical Properties of a Corneal Stroma Equivalent: was published in Tissue Engineering. Rachael Crabb and Allison Hubel from the lab were authors.

December 2007
•Allison Hubel spoke at a Cell Banking meeting in Philadelphia, PA on “Fundamentals of Cryopreservation”

•Characterization of diffusion-based extraction in cell-laden flow through a microfluidic device was published in the Journal of Biomechanical Engineering. Katie Glass and Allison Hubel were authors.

•Cell partitioning during the directional solidification of trehalose solutions was published in the journal Cryobiology. Allison Hubel and Brian Darr were authors.

Dr. Hubel's Short Course: Preservation of Cells, Tissues, and Gametes