Dance Your PhD 2013: Hydrogel-Mediated Cell Therapy for Muscle Diseases

Submission for Dance Your PhD 2013.

Title: Hydrogel-Mediated Cell Therapy for Muscle Diseases
Director / Editor: Ken Estrellas ScM (PhD Candidate, Johns Hopkins CMM Program)
Choreographers: Tri Le & Jeff Calero, Ken Estrellas
Dancers: Ken Estrellas, Tri Le, Jeff Calero, Cynthia Chavez
Song: Just Blaze & Baauer feat. Jay-Z - Higher
Crew: Greg David, Mikey Rondon, Jean Mendoza

In several degenerative muscle diseases, such as the Muscular Dystrophies, progenitor cell transplantation has been previously explored as a potential therapeutic strategy. However, replacement of depleted or senescent endogenous cell populations is impeded by the highly fibrotic, inflammatory environment. The use of biomimetic hydrogels, composed of synthetic polymers and other materials, could help create a permissive microenvironment which facilitates muscle growth and regeneration.