title: Computational Model-Based Analysis of Strategies to Enhance Scaffold Vascularization.
abstract: Stable and extensive blood vessel networks are required for cell function and survival in engineered tissues. A number of different strategies are currently being investigated to enhance biomaterial vascularization with screening primarily through extensivein vitroandin vivoexperiments. In this article, we describe an agent-based model (ABM) developed to evaluate various strategiesin silico, including design of optimal biomaterial structure, delivery of angiogenic factors, and application of prevascularized biomaterials. The model predictions are evaluated using experimental data. The ABM developed provides insight into different strategies currently applied for scaffold vascularization and will enable researchers to rapidly screen new hypotheses and explore alternative strategies for enhancing vascularization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology , Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Elif Seyma
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Bayrak
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology , Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Banu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Akar
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology , Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Sami I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Somo
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology , Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Chenlin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology , Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Nan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology , Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Eric M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Brey
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois.; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cinar
keywords: agent-based modeling; scaffold vascularization; strategies for enhancing vascularization