ENGINEERED BIOMIMETIC MUSCLE GRAFT FOR SKELETAL MUSCLE REGENERATION

Author

Julia O. AguirreFollow

Graduation Semester and Year

Fall 2025

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

Department

Bioengineering

First Advisor

Kamal Awad

Second Advisor

Marco Brotto

Third Advisor

Young-Tae Kim

Fourth Advisor

Kytai Truong Nguyen

Abstract

This study aims to develop a synthetic muscle graft that closely mimics the architecture, viscoelastic properties, and bio-signaling characteristics of natural skeletal muscle. By analyzing the native skeletal muscle microstructure, biochemical, and mechanical properties, we establish design parameters for a biomimetic scaffold. The engineered graft integrates tunable mechanical compliance, aligned microarchitecture, and signaling cues to promote cell recruitment, adhesion, proliferation, and maturation. To further enhance biofunctionality, an electrically conductive polymer was incorporated to improve the electrical conductivity, and the graft was loaded with the bioactive lipid signaling mediator “Prostaglandin E2” (PGE2) to support myogenesis during muscle regeneration. The grafts were tested in-vitro for cytotoxicity, proliferation, and myogenic differentiation. This platform demonstrates the potential to replicate key structural and functional aspects of skeletal muscle, supporting future applications in skeletal muscle tissue engineering and the repair of severe musculoskeletal defects, such as volumetric muscle loss (VML).

Keywords

Skeletal Muscle Regeneration, Hydrogels, Synthetic Muscle Graft, Cytocompatibility, 3D Printing

Disciplines

Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering | Materials Science and Engineering

License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Aguirre, Julia O., "ENGINEERED BIOMIMETIC MUSCLE GRAFT FOR SKELETAL MUSCLE REGENERATION" (2025). Bioengineering Theses. 227.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/bioengineering_theses/227