The goal of this project is to develop methods for manipulating cell behavior in three-dimensional gels. This is to be achieved by a systematic study of changes in cell behavior for human leukocytes and PC12 cells dispersed within collagen gels. Specifically, cell behavior (i.e. motility and neurite outgrowth) in collagen gels with different hydration, cell behavior in collagen gels with added extracellular matrix (ECM) components, and cell behavior in gels with added biological response modifiers will be examined. By using controlled release polymers as sources of bioactive agents (antibodies, growth factors, chemotactic factors,and ECM molecules), cell behavior in well characterized concentration gradients is also to be quantified.
