Welcome

The overall objective of the work conducted in this laboratory is to develop strategies for controlling cell and tissue interactions with biomaterials. Research projects are directed at:

(1) understanding the effects of biomaterials on mesenchymal cells;
(2) determining the effects of small molecule drugs, peptides, and proteins having therapeutic potential on cell responses; and
(3) modifying biomaterials and surfaces to modulate cell and tissue responses that result in preferred outcomes.

Applications include promoting bone formation around orthopedic and dental implants, healing of infected bone defects, augmentation of alveolar bone, regeneration of growth plate, and preventing progression of oral mucosal dysplasia to oral cancer.

Our lab is equipped to: prepare biomaterial samples; immobilize biomolecules on biomaterial surfaces; form protein- and drug-loaded biodegradable microspheres; fabricate controlled release devices and tissue engineering scaffolds; isolate, culture, and characterize various types of mesenchymal cells; conduct in vitro experiments of cell-biomaterial interactions; carry out in vivo experiments to determine tissue responses; and perform quantitative colorimetric and fluorometric biochemical assays.

Additional information can be found on the other pages of this Web site.