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Natural & Social Sciences Abstract Guidelines


Abstract Heading

  • Title of Project
  • Name of Presenter
  • Name of FIU Faculty Mentor-Name(s) of co-authors and co-mentors (If applicable)
  • Name of FIU Colleges/Departments(List any external institutions if applicable)

Abstract Body

  • Maximum word count: 300
  • Background Information: Why is theproject important?How does it relate to current knowledge, practice or literature? What is the purpose or question/issue addressed in the project?
  • Methods: How was the project executed? Summarize the resources or equipment required, how processes or outcomes were documented and evaluated.
  • Results: What was found or what happened?Summarize the findings. If results are not available, describe the hypothesis or goals of the project.
  • Conclusion: What is the potential impactofthefindings/hypothesis/goalsandhow might others apply them?

Additional Guidelines

  • Additional Guidelines: Proofread abstract with your mentor before uploading.
  • Write the abstract for ageneral audience.
  • Natural sciences include but are not limited to life and physical sciences.
  • Social sciences include but are not limited to psychology, business, and politics.
  • Upload your abstract in .pdf, .doc, or .docx format.
  • Do not add special characters, such as scientific symbols.
  • Upload imagesasa separate attachmentin either .jpg, .png or .pdf format.

Sample Abstract

Identifying Key Components of Extracellular Matrix in Vascularized Skeletal Muscle Tissues

Patricia L. Garcia1,2, Hyeonyu Kim2, and H. Harry Asada, Ph. D2

1. Florida International University, Miami, FL 2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA

Engineered skeletal muscle tissues have recently been used for a variety of applications in the development of actuators for bio-robots, pre-clinical drug advances, and transplantation. In native muscle tissues, fibroblasts contribute to the formation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) layer, called endomysium, which is located between myofibers and capillaries. Because the ECM layer is known to have significant mechanical and biological roles, it can protect myofibers during contraction, control muscle development, and mediate cell to cell interactions. However, there is a lack of knowledge in establishing key components of the ECM, especially in engineered skeletal muscles, which affect differentiation of muscles and vascularization of endothelial cells. In this study, we made a system to study secreted ECM in various cell combinations in a controlled environment and stained the ECM to identity key components. We hypothesize that the ECM secreted by fibroblasts is changed by heterotypic cell to cell interaction with muscle and endothelial cells. This research will help to understand the role of the endomysium in the native muscle, enhance vascularization, and improve muscle differentiation of engineered muscles.