Cedarville Magazine, Summer 2018

They’re also learning to collaborate across professional fields. “How many engineering students in an undergrad institution get to spend time with a pharmacy professor in a cell culture lab?” Norman added. “That’s really unique. They’re talking to someone in a different discipline, learning to speak in his ‘language.’ That’s necessary in a field like biomedical engineering.” For Cole, he and the other engineering students learned to lean on the expertise of their pharmacy teammates. “We have a basic knowledge of cells from biology, but they bring a depth of knowledge that allows us to be more efficient in evaluating our scaffolds,” Cole said. “They recommended we use fibroblast cells because they divide and multiply normally and are part of the connective tissue family that includes bone-forming cells.” The processes involved are an education in themselves. “They’re learning the value of good sterility,” said Rotello. “These are living things; you can’t introduce foreign substances, which requires careful monitoring.” That was part of the education for mechanical engineering major Sarah Seman ’21. Teammate Tiera Martinelli ’18 and she cultured cells onto scaffolds, dyed the scaffolds, and counted the number of cells on each. “Early in the project we learned that we needed to follow specialized sterilization procedures to prepare the scaffolds for a living environment,” she added. “They aren’t following a cookbook — just do this and you’ll get that,” Rotello added. “They’re learning to alter their methods and problem-solve. It can be frustrating; it isn’t just a matter of showing up each day, adding cells, and you see a result. You’re babying things along, hoping for a result.” “These engineers are learning how to design for biological systems,” Norman added, “making something that has to be agreeable to the way the body works. They don’t do that typically.” TINY WINDOW INTO CREATION The ability to recreate bone and provide a place for muscle attachment that trauma had removed — that’s heady stuff. But for Norman and Rotello, this research goes beyond powerful scientific inquiry. It is a window into the ways of the All-Powerful. “I always tell students, ‘We are engineers trying to figure out how God created the world,’” Norman said. “Everything I’ve discovered and learned shows that Someone designed it. It is not random but very orderly with rules and formulas. Discovering God’s creation is part of everything we do.” “We’re just looking at one cell, one piece of material,” added Rotello. “I appreciate the growth and the science behind it, but we’re not even at the molecular level yet. The unique molecules binding to that surface is further proof God did this. He did that inside someone; it didn’t just happen by chance.” Seman echoed this thought. “Whenever you study biology or physiology, it just gives you a greater sense of awe about how God has created us,” she said. “Even at the cellular level, it’s so complex. God put all those systems in place, and we’re trying to help those systems work as God intended.” The research led to an apologetics application for Cole. During two weeks of training in Germany for his job after graduation, he had an evangelistic discussion with a fellow trainee from Russia. “I was talking with him about the origin of life,” he explained. “I told him that, based on my studies so far, I can’t see how it’s possible for complex structures to evolve by random mutation. This has really given me a better appreciation for creation.” For Norman, the 3D human tissue project ultimately leads to worship. “It’s a manifestation of what He created us to do,” he said. “Getting to know what He’s created is part of getting to know Him.” Clem Boyd is Managing Editor of Cedarville Magazine . Tiera Martinelli ’18 and Rocco Rotello, Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, check out cell growth in the School of Pharmacy lab. Cedarville Magazine | 5