Andrea Hernandez Gomez
MIT Department: Health, Sciences and Technology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Mercedes Balcells-Camp
Research Supervisor: Connie Ma Wang
Undergraduate Institution: University of Central Florida
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Website: LinkedIn
Biography
Andrea Hernandez Gomez is a rising junior at the University of Central Florida, majoring in Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Health Services Administration. Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, she is dedicated to improving minority representation in healthcare and access to higher education for immigrants. At UCF, Andrea is active in the Refugee and Immigrant Education Club and mentors for the CREAR Futuros initiative. Inspired by her family’s history of cardiovascular disease, she is passionate about cardiovascular and metabolic biochemical research. Her past research includes studying cost-switching and language processing in bilingual individuals. At MIT, she is researching how mesenchymal stem cells interact with gold-coated titanium surfaces to improve tissue-implant integration. In her free time, she enjoys reading, painting, and embroidery. Ultimately, Andrea aspires to obtain an M.D./Ph.D. to contribute to life-saving research and promote healthcare equity for immigrant and refugee communities.
Abstract
Elucidating Tissue-Implant Interactions: In Vitro Analysis of Osteogenic Properties of Gold Nanocolumn Titanium Surfaces
Andrea Hernandez Gomez1, Connie Ma Wang2, Mercedes Balcells-Camps3
1Department of Chemistry, University of Central Florida
2Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
3Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Current clinical approaches for assessing the performance of orthopedic implants in vivo and evaluating their integration with surrounding tissue are limited. Non-invasive techniques are crucial for monitoring and gaining deeper insights into tissue-implant interactions, enabling diagnostic capabilities to preemptively treat complications such as infection and inflammation. This study explores the potential of gold nanocolumn coatings on titanium surfaces as a biosensing tool using Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS). The unique properties of SERS-active gold nanocolumns to enhance Raman signals allows for physiological assessment of the implant-tissue interface using machine learning techniques on multiplexed SERS signals. Initially, through Oblique Angle Deposition (OAD) techniques, gold nanocolumns were precisely deposited onto titanium surfaces. Surface characterization was conducted using techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Raman scattering. In this subsequent study, the osteogenic properties of this coating were explored. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were seeded on the surfaces and cell viability, adhesion, and proliferation were evaluated. Furthermore, osteogenic differentiation of human MSCs on the surfaces was induced and evaluated through protein expression assays, immunofluorescent staining, and SEM. Preliminary results suggest that titanium samples with gold nanocolumn coatings promote enhanced osseointegration and osteogenic differentiation of MSCs, underscoring their potential for advancing orthopedic implant technologies.
