Jenny Parraga

Dr. Jenny Parraga


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

8Years (2019-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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23 May 2019 in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
JKJanne T. Koivisto
Janne T. Koivisto
CGChristine Gering
Christine Gering
JKJennika Karvinen
Jennika Karvinen
RCReeja Maria Cherian
Reeja Maria Cherian
BBBirhanu Belay
Birhanu Belay
JPJenny Parraga
Jenny Parraga
To promote the transition of cell cultures from 2D to 3D, hydrogels are needed to biomimic the extracellular matrix (ECM). One potential material for this purpose is gellan gum (GG), a biocompatible and mechanically tunable hydrogel. However, GG alone does not provide attachment sites for cells to thrive in 3D. One option for biofunctionalization is the introduction of gelatin, a derivative of the abundant ECM protein collagen. Unfortunately, gelatin lacks crosslinking moieties, making the production of self-standing hydrogels difficult in physiological conditions. Here, we explore the functionalization of GG with gelatin at biologically relevant concentrations using semi-orthogonal, cytocompatible, and facile chemistry based on hydrazone reaction. These hydrogels exhibit mechanical behavior, especially elasticity, which resembles cardiac tissue. The use of optical projection tomography for 3D cell microscopy demonstrates the good cytocompatibility and elongation of human fibroblasts (WI-38). In addition, human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes attach to the hydrogels and recover their spontaneous beating at 24 h culture. Beating is studied using in-house built phase contrast video analysis software, and it is comparable with the beating of control cardiomyocytes in regular culture conditions. These hydrogels provide a promising platform to transition cardiac tissue engineering and disease modeling from 2D to 3D.