UC Santa Barbara researcher receives NSF award for microgel cell studies

Emilie Dressaire, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at UC Santa Barbara, has received a $500,000 CAREER award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to study microgel environments for cellular research.

Traditional laboratory hydrogels often hold cells in unnaturally flat or still positions, which can limit the transport of fluids, nutrients, and oxygen. To better mimic the dynamic surroundings of the human body, bioengineers are developing microgels—collections of soft, slippery particles that function like a “ball pit” for cells. These environments allow cells to move, organize, and divide more naturally.

Dressaire’s research will focus on how these microgels facilitate fluid movement and molecular transport. The goal is to create a more accurate bioengineering platform to assist cancer biologists in studying cell behavior and testing new medical treatments.