Tissue Engineering Research Overview
Tissue engineering is an emerging interdisciplinary field which applies the principles of biology and engineering to the development of viable substitutes which restore, maintain, or improve the function of human tissues. This form of therapy differs from standard drug therapy in that the engineered tissue becomes integrated within the patient, affording a potentially permanent and specific cure of the disease state.
A large number of Americans suffer organ and tissue loss every year from accidents, birth defects, hereditary disorders, conditions and diseases. Improved understanding of biological processes holds promise for the development of new classes of biomaterials, polymers, and diagnostic and analytical reagents.
Tissue engineering integrates discoveries from biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, genetics, material science and biomedical engineering to produce innovative three dimensional composites having structure/function properties that can be used to either replace or correct damaged, missing, or poorly functioning components in living systems. In addition, this emerging technology can be used to introduce better functioning components, The material components themselves may be processed from naturally occurring materials, processed from synthetic materials, or a combination of these. Cellular and other biologic components may be added.
Tissue engineering faces the challenges in:
- Permanent versus biodegradable
- Optimal lifespan of scaffold or product
- Degradation products
- Biocompatibility
- Optimal geometry/architecture/composition
- Surface features (and how to modify them-i.e., biomimetics)
- Role of surface features in biointegration
- Biomechanical characteristics
- Reproducibility
Faculty Research Interests
Chen, Weiliam
Associate Professor
Weiliam.Chen@sunysb.edu
Summary : Our research is focused on the application of biocompatible/biodegradable natural carbohydrates to address various clinically relevant biomedical problems including wound repair, cerebral aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation, abdominal aortic aneurysm endoleak and controlled delivery of therapeutic agents (small molecules, proteins and DNA) through interdisciplinary research efforts. Localized application provides the maximum efficacies of therapeutic agents while minimizing their undesirable effects. Other efforts are targeted towards ophthalmic issues and enhancing the biological responses of polymeric medical devices.
Chu, Benjamin
Distinguished Professor, Dept. of Chemistry
benjamin.chu@sunysb.edu
Summary : Synthesis, characterization and processing of biomaterials, molecular manipulation and self-assembly in biomimetic mineralization, DNA complexation for gene therapy.
Clark, Richard
Professor
Richard.Clark@SUNYSB.EDU
Summary : Our laboratory focuses on the design and development of bioactive peptides and 3-D complex extracellular matrices (ECM) that will enhance soft tissue repair and regeneration. Peptides are assayed for biologic activity in vitro and in vivo for their ability to protect tissue cells and organs from injury, stimulate tissue cell migration and proliferation, and modulate stem cell and tissue cell differentiation. The ECM constructs tethered with bioactive peptides are analyzed for their physical, chemical and immunologic properties by such modalities as goniometry for hydrophilicity, static and dynamic stress and strain for viscolastic material properties, atomic force microscopy for Young’s elastic moduli and surface topography; HPLC, mass spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography and gel electrophoresis for chemical analysis; and fluorescence immunoassays for immunologic epitope mapping. In addition, cell interactions with the 3-D ECM constructs are examined at the transcriptional, protein and functional level as judged by real-time PCR, DNA microarray analyses, Western blots, proteomics, quantitative fluorescence microscopy, and cell viability, migration and proliferation assays. Special in vitro systems have been created to quantify sprout angiogenesis, epithelial sheet migration and neurite axon extension. Bioactive peptides and engineered ECM containing peptide biomimetics will also be tested in a variety of animal models and hopefully enter into clinical trials. This robust array of bioactive peptides and 3-D ECM constructs will provide new therapies for soft tissue injury and disease.
Entcheva, Emilia
Associate Professor
Emilia.Entcheva@sunysb.edu
Summary : The focus of the Cardiac Cell Engineering Laboratory is designing and characterizing heart cell networks and heart tissue in the lab to gain a better understanding of how cardiac cells self-organize and function. We are motivated to provide useful tools for physiomics type of studies, drug, gene and stem cell therapy testing 3D cellular platforms - an experimental setting for validation of computer models of excitable tissue, and ultimately to contribute to strategies for the regeneration of the heart. This research is multidisciplinary in nature and involves a spectrum of experimental molecular and cell biology procedures, along with the application of design concepts from electrical, optical, mechanical and chemical engineering to create the enabling technology for our studies. New imaging modalities, image processing algorithms and computer modeling are essential complementary tools developed and applied by our team. Key research areas include: 1) optical mapping of excitation; 2) advanced signal and imageprocessing; 3) cardiac cell and tissue engineering; 4) unraveling the mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias.
Hadjiargyrou, Michael
Associate Professor
Michael.Hadjiargyrou@sunysb.edu
Summary : The overall goal of this laboratory is to implement innovative approaches for engineering new musculoskeletal tissue utilizing knowledge derived from molecular/cellular biology and biomaterials. More specifically, we are actively involved in understanding the molecular mechanisms that underlie the wound healing process. The repair of a fractured bone is a complex biological event that essentially recapitulates embryonic development and requires the orchestration of a number of different cell types undergoing proliferation, migration, adhesion and differentiation, all under the direct control of a host of different genes. Understanding the temporal and spatial expression of these genes during the progression of a healing callus will ultimately enable us to comprehend the essential processes of inflammation, chondrogenesis, ossification, and remodeling. The latest methods in molecular/cellular biology are applied in the pursuit of gene discovery, gene structure and function analysis, expression studies and functional perturbations. By identifying and studying genes that play essential roles during the healing process, we hypothesize that this knowledge will facilitate a greater understanding in our ability to elucidate the process of bone development and regeneration and identify ideal gene candidates for possible therapeutic intervention via the use of biomaterials.
Hsiao, Benjamin
Professor
bhsiao@notes.cc.sunysb.edu
Summary : I am interested in understanding the structural and morphological development and manipulation of complex polymer systems during preparation and processing in real time. The focus of my research projects is the design, preparation, characterization and application of nanostructured soft condensed materials, such as fibers (one-dimensional orientation), films (two-dimensional orientation) and bulk material systems (three-dimensional orientation), through precise control of molecular architecture and physical interactions including crystallization, molecular level mixing, deformation and flow. My particular interests in biomedical applications include the use nanostructured biodgredation materials for drug release and tissue engineering.
Judex, Stefan
Associate Professor
Stefan.Judex@sunysb.edu
Summary : Research in this laboratory focuses on the identification of precise parameters that define skeletal tissue quantity and quality and their perturbation to applied physical stimuli. To this end, state of the art imaging techniques (e.g., microCT or synchrotron infrared spectroscopy) are combined with molecular (e.g., RT-PCR), genetic (e.g., QTL), and engineering techniques (e.g., finite element modeling) to determine genes, molecules, forces, as well as chemical and structural matrix properties. An example for a recent study includes the demonstration that extremely small amplitude oscillatory motions (~ 100µm), inducing negligible deformation in the matrix, can serve as an anabolic stimulus to osteoblasts in vivo, producing a structure that is mechanical stronger and more efficient to withstand forces. Recent results also indicate that there is not only a genetic basis for bone architecture, but also that the sensitivity of bone tissue to both anabolic and catabolic stimuli is influenced by subtle genetic variations. The identification of the specific chromosomal regions that modulate this differential sensitivity is in progress. Clinically, our studies may lead to the development of effective prophylaxes and interventions for osteoporosis, without side-effects and tailored towards the genetic make-up of an individual.
Department of Surgery
Krukenkamp, Irvin
Professor
Irvin.Krukenkamp@sunysb.edu
Summary : In 1997, Irvin Krukenkamp joined the Stony Brook faculty as professor of surgery and chief of cardiothoracic surgery. Coming from Harvard University, Krukenkamp now directs the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and also co-directs the newly formed Heart Hospital. Performing the only open heart surgery in Suffolk County, he and his team of cardiothoracic surgeons specialize in high-risk and tertiary care types of surgical intervention. Krukenkamp's special clinical interests also include coronary and valve surgery in the octogenarian; and operative management and myocardial protection of the profoundly dysfunctional heart. Krukenkamp's research interests include myocardial mechanics and energetics; myocardial protection by cardioplegia; and new endogenous myoprotective strategies utilizing preconditioning. He is currently the principal investigator or co-investigator of three NIH-funded studies focusing on myocardial protection in the senescent heart; the electrophysiology of potassium channel opening; and the mechanics of ischemic myocardial preconditioning.
Qin, Yi-Xian
Professor
Yi-Xian.Qin@sunysb.edu
Summary : Early diagnostic of osteoporosis allows for accurate prediction of fracture risk and effective options for early treatment of the bone disease. A new ultrasound technology, based on focused transmission and reception of the acoustic signal, has been developed by Dr. Qin and his team which represents the early stages of development of a unique diagnostic tool for the measure of both bone quantity (density) and quality (strength). These data show a strong correlation between non-invasive ultrasonic prediction and micro-CT determined bone mineral density (r>0.9), and significant correlation between ultrasound and bone stiffness (r>0.8). Considering the ease of use, the non-invasive, non-radiation based signal, and the accuracy of the device, this work opens an entirely new avenue for the early diagnosis of metabolic bone diseases.
Rubin, Clinton
Distinguished Professor & Chair
Clinton.Rubin@sunysb.edu
Summary : Encouraging results show that the application of extremely low level strains to animals and humans will increase bone formation, and thus may represent the much sought after "anabolic" stimulus in bone. More than 15 years of research into non-invasive, non-pharmacological intervention to control osteoporosis, was referenced in Dr. Rubin's paper published in the journal Nature (August 9, 2001; 412:603-604). Dr. Rubin's studies suggest that gentle vibrations on a regular basis will help strengthen the bones in osteoporosis sufferers and increase bone formation. In his study, adult female sheep treated with gentle vibration to their hind legs for 20 minutes daily showed almost 35% more bone density. Clinical trials have been completed on post-menopausal women, children with cerebral palsy, and young women with osteoporosis, all with encouraging results. In expanding the research platform into other physiologic systems, current work demonstrates that these low-level signals influence mesenchymal stem cell differentiation, such that their path to adipocytes is suppressed, and markedly reduces adipose tissue.
Sitharaman, Balaji
Assistant Professor
Balaji.Sitharaman@sunysb.edu
Summary : Our laboratory seeks to integrate advances in nanoscience and technology with the biological sciences and clinical medicine to achieve significant advances in simultaneous molecular diagnostics and therapeutics (theragnosis), drug delivery, and bioengineering. Towards these ends, our research interests involve a multidisciplinary approach for the development of functional (electronic, optical, magnetic, or structural) bionanosystems as contrast agents for molecular imaging, as carriers for drug delivery, and as structural scaffolds for tissue engineering. Our current projects capitalize on the unique properties of carbon nanobiomaterials to develop a) advanced contrast agents (CAs) for molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), b) nanocomposites to improve the physical and biological (osteoconduction and osteoinduction) properties of polymer scaffolds for bone tissue engineering and c) non-viral vectors for gene transfection. We have exploited the potential of Gd-based carbon nanostructures: Gd@C60 metallofullerenes (gadofullerenes) and Gd@Ultrashort-tubes (gadonanotubes) as a new generation of advanced CAs for MRI and shown them to have efficacies up to 100 times greater than current clinical CAs. Our recent studies show that they are particularly well suited for passive (magnetic labels for cellular MRI) and active (pH sensitive probes for cancer detection) MRI-based Molecular Imaging. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have been proposed as the ideal foundation for the next generation of materials due to their excellent mechanical properties. We have dispersed SWNTs and ultra short SWNTs into fumarate-based polymers to form nanocomposite scaffolds that exhibit mechanical properties far superior to the polymers alone and are osteoconductive as well osteoinductive. Our research work involves material synthesis techniques, physico-chemical characterization techniques, tissue culture and in vivo studies.