Bachelor of Science, Bioengineering, 2005 - University of Washington
Andrés Bratt-Leal
Research
In addition to using polymeric microspheres to deliver small molecules within embryoid bodies, we have developed techniques to fabricate and incorporate hydrogel microspheres within embryoid bodies for delivery of bioactive proteins. Methods to control the spatial distribution of multiple microsphere populations are being investigated in order to engineer morphogen gradients within individual embryoid bodies. Morphogen gradients are known to affect cell fate during embryo development and it is our goal to apply this knowledge to direct embryonic stem cell differentiation in a similar fashion in vitro.
Awards
NIH Cell & Tissue Engineering Training Grant Fellow (2008-2010)
Hilton Head Student Travel Award (2009)
3rd Place, Student Poster Award, Georgia Stem Cell Symposium (2008)
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, Honorable Mention (2007, 2008)
Goizueta Fellowship (2007-10)
For full list, please see CV
Publications
Carpenedo RL, Bratt-Leal AM, Marklein RA, Seaman SA, Bowen NJ, McDonald JF, McDevitt TC. Homogeneous and organized differentiation within embryoid bodies induced by microsphere-mediated delivery of small molecules. Biomaterials, 30(13): 2507-2515 (2009).
Bratt-Leal AM, Carpenedo RL, McDevitt TC. Engineering the embryoid body microenvironment to direct embryonic stem cell differentiation. Biotechnology Progress, 25(1): 43-51 (2009).
Chvatal SA, Kim YT, Bratt-Leal AM, Lee H, Bellamkonda RV. Spatial distribution and acute anti-inflammatory effects of methylprednisolone after sustained local delivery to the contused spinal cord. Biomaterials, 29(12): 1967-1975 (2008).
Beckstead BL, Pan S, Bhrany AD, Bratt-Leal AM, Ratner BD, Giachelli CM. Esophogeal epithelial cell interaction with synthetic and natural scaffolds for tissue engineering. Biomaterials, 26(31): 6217-6228 (2005).
Presentations
Bratt-Leal AM, Carpenedo, RL, Ungrin, MD, Zandstra, PW, McDevitt TC. Microparticle Incorporation within Embryoid Bodies via Forced Aggregation. (2008). Southeast Stem Cell Consortium, Athens, GA, Poster Presentation, October 23-24.
Bratt-Leal AM, Carpenedo, RL, McDevitt TC. Agarose Microgels for Protein Delivery within Embryoid Body Microenvironments. (2008). Society for Biomaterials, Atlanta, GA, Poster Presentation, September 11-13.
Bratt-Leal AM, Carpenedo, RL, McDevitt TC. Agarose Microgels for Protein Delivery within Embryoid Body Microenvironments. (2008). Georgia Stem Cell Consortium, Athens, GA, Poster Presentation, May 25.
Biography
Andrés graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering from the University of Washington in 2005. At UW, he worked in the labs of Dr. Ceci Giachelli and Dr. Buddy Ratner to apply sphere templating techniques for the development of porous fibrin scaffolds. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Emory University and Georgia Tech.