1) Tissue Engineering Approaches for Musculoskeletal Tissues
The objective in this research area is to regenerate bone and tendon tissues using scaffold-guided and plasma-assisted tissue regeneration approaches.
The objective in this research area is to regenerate bone and tendon tissues using scaffold-guided and plasma-assisted tissue regeneration approaches.
A) Cell Instructive Scaffold-Guided Tissue Engineering Approach: In this research, we are utilizing our expertise in biomimetic design and biomanufacturing to create nanofibrous, yet injectable tissue scaffolds. This innovative scaffold possesses proper biological, mechanical, and structural properties for cell and biomolecule inclusion and for bone and tendon regeneration.
SEM IMAGE: Injected, cell-inoculated matrix (collagen/ polycaprolactone) after 21 days cell culture (scale bar 20um).
B) Plasma Physics-Assisted Tissue Regeneration: In this research, we are utilizing plasma physics to delivery of reactive molecules to the targeted musculoskeletal tissue for regeneration and increased cellular activity.
IMAGE: Image of non-thermal, atmospheric pressure plasma with nozzle system.
2) Biomechanical Approaches for Musculoskeletal System
The objective in this research area is to provide biomimetic and bioactive solutions to current biomechanical oriented challenges in musculoskeletal system. Currently, EBSL is working on two research projects in this area. One is investigating the vertebral endplate-confirmity of graft and the effect of conformity on range-of-motion and fusion rate of functional spinal unit. The other one is investigating enhanced mechanical properties of bone grafts due to cell-mediated mineralization.
The objective in this research area is to provide biomimetic and bioactive solutions to current biomechanical oriented challenges in musculoskeletal system. Currently, EBSL is working on two research projects in this area. One is investigating the vertebral endplate-confirmity of graft and the effect of conformity on range-of-motion and fusion rate of functional spinal unit. The other one is investigating enhanced mechanical properties of bone grafts due to cell-mediated mineralization.
3) Mechanobiological Approaches in Cancer-Musculoskeletal Tissue Interaction
The objective in this research area is to study the role of mechanical stimuli in musculoskeletal system associated tissue regeneration (i.e bone, tendon) and to understand the function of these mechanical stimuli in progress of musculoskeletal system related disease state (i.e, bone metastasis). In EBSL, we have invented a mechanical loading platform in which we can apply physiologically relevant mechanical loading on cell-inoculated three-dimensional matrix. We are utillizing this platform to create mechanical loading with different regimes to understand mechanism behind the molecular and cytoskeletal changes within metastatic prostate cancer cells within bone-like environment under mechanical loadings.
The objective in this research area is to study the role of mechanical stimuli in musculoskeletal system associated tissue regeneration (i.e bone, tendon) and to understand the function of these mechanical stimuli in progress of musculoskeletal system related disease state (i.e, bone metastasis). In EBSL, we have invented a mechanical loading platform in which we can apply physiologically relevant mechanical loading on cell-inoculated three-dimensional matrix. We are utillizing this platform to create mechanical loading with different regimes to understand mechanism behind the molecular and cytoskeletal changes within metastatic prostate cancer cells within bone-like environment under mechanical loadings.
CONFOCAL IMAGE: The changes in actin polymerization within metastatic prostate cancer cells upon physiological mechanical loading within bone-like 3D matrix. Green (F-Actin), Red (G-actin), Blue (Nucleus).
