Perfusion De/Recellularization Bioreactor for Laryngeal Tissue

Project Overview

The larynx has three major functions physiologically. It separates the windpipe from the esophagus, is important in swallowing, and has a major function in sound production. When a problem occurs in the larynx, all three functions can be disrupted. Our purpose is to design a laryngeal bioreactor that can decellularize a larynx to make a scaffold and recellularize it with patient-specific cells. A previous team designed a device that adequately decellularized the tissue, but recellularization had not been thoroughly tested. The client would like an iteration of the design that keeps the larynx horizontal during the experiment and allows easy access to the catheters supplying fluids through the vasculature. This semester, the team should focus on building a design that allows cells to be exposed to both air and media during cellular growth while allowing researchers to view the experiment taking place. Additionally, the team should seek to incorporate and build upon the automation system that the previous team began constructing.

Video of decellularization: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am-krs57tQE