Graduate Research
Research Interests
Biomaterials/Tissue Engineering
Prof. Pins
Research focuses on understanding the interactions between cells and precisely bioengineered scaffolds that modulate cellular functions such as adhesion, migration, proliferation, differentiation and extracellular matrix remodeling. Understanding cellmatrix interactions that regulate wound healing and tissue remodeling will be used to improve the design of tissue-engineered analogs for the repair of soft and hard tissue injuries. Research areas include: (1) studies investigating the roles of microfabricated scaffolds on keratinocyte function for tissue engineering of skin, (2) development of tissue scaffolds that mimic the microstructural organization and mechanical responsiveness of native tissues, and (3) development of microfabricated cell culture systems to understand how extracellular matrix molecules regulate epithelial cell growth and differentiation.
Biomedical Sensors and Bioinstrumentation
Prof. Mendelson
The development of integrated biomedical sensors and electronic instrumentation for invasive and noninvasive blood monitoring. Research areas include:
• Design and in vivo evaluation of reflective pulse oximeter sensors
• Microcomputer-based medical instrumentation
• Fiberoptic sensors for medical instrumentation
• Application of optics to biomedicine
• Signal processing
• Telesensing
• Wearable physiological monitoring
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy
Prof. Sotak
Research projects in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging and spectroscopy stress experimental aspects of NMR and their application in both medical and nonbiological areas. Major biological research projects include: (1) development of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods for the evaluation of therapeutic interventions in acute stroke; (2) development of fluorine-19 (19F) MRI and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) methods for measuring tumor oxygenation and evaluating adjuvants for tumor therapy; and (3) characterization of structural information in fluid-saturated porous media using diffusion imaging and spectroscopy.
Soft Tissue Biomechanics/Tissue Engineering
Prof. Billiar
The functionality of engineered connective tissues (e.g., skin, tendon, blood vessel) is intimately related to their mechanical properties. Furthermore, the response of the cells within these tissues is modulated not only by their chemical environment but also their mechanical environment. These aspects of tissue engineering are studied in the Tissue Mechanics and Mechanobiology Laboratory.
Cardiac Tissue Engineering & Regeneration
Prof. Gaudette
Research is focused on revascularizing and regenerating functional myocardial tissue to replace dysfunctional heart tissue. Projects focus on understanding the interaction of the local mechanical and electrical environment with the mechanisms of cardiac regeneration include myocyte proliferation and adult stem cell differentiation. Research areas include (1) development of scaffolds to induce myocardial regeneration, (2) differentiation of progenitor cells into cardiac cells, (3) determination of cues in the microenvironment that affect myocardial regeneration.
Tissue Engineering & Matrix Scaffolds
Prof. Rolle
Research focuses on the role of extracellular matrix proteins on tissue mechanical and functional properties in the context of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Research interests include (1) genetic engineering strategies to control cell-mediated matrix synthesis and assembly, (2) cell-based approaches to generating tissue engineered blood vessels, (3) evaluating the contribution of matrix molecules to the mechanical and functional properties of scaffolds, and tissues, (4) developing matrix gene delivery systems to promote tissue regeneration.
Research Laboratories and Facilities
Research is primarily conducted in a new four-story, 124,600-square-foot Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center LSBC) located at Gateway Park. This space is largely dedicated to research laboratories that focus on non-invasive biomedical instrumentation design, signal processing, tissue biomechanics, biomaterials synthesis and characterization, myocardial regeneration, cell and molecular engineering, regenerative biosciences and tissue engineering. The LSBC research facility also maintains a modern core equipment facility that includes cell culture, histology, imaging and mechanical testing suites to support cellular, molecular, and tissue engineering research activities.
A brief description of each BME research laboratories is given below.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy
The facility is attached to the Central Massachusetts Magnetic Imaging Center (CMMIC) adjacent to the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Research projects in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging and spectroscopy stress experimental aspects of NMR and their application in both medical and nonbiological areas. Major biological research projects include: (1) development of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods for the evaluation of therapeutic interventions in acute stroke; (2) development of fluorine-19 (19F) MRI and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) methods for measuring tumor oxygenation and evaluating adjuvants for tumor therapy; and (3) characterization of structural information in fluid-saturated porous media using diffusion imaging and spectroscopy.
Biomedical Sensors and Bioinstrumentation
The development of integrated biomedical sensors for invasive and noninvasive physiological monitoring. Design and in-vivo evaluation of reflective pulse oximeter sensors, microcomputer-based biomedical instrumentation, digital signal processing, wearable wireless biomedical sensors, application of optics to biomedicine, telemedicine.
Soft Tissue Biomechanics/Tissue Engineering
Research focused on understanding the growth and development of connective tissues and on the influence of mechanical stimulation on cells in native and engineered three-dimensional constructs. Research areas include: (1) micromechanical characterization of tissues, (2) constitutive modeling, (3) creation of bioartificial tissues in vitro, and (4) the effects of mechanical stimulation on the functional properties of cells and tissues.
Biomaterials/Tissue Engineering
Research focuses on understanding the interactions between cells and precisely bioengineered scaffolds that modulate cellular functions such as adhesion, migration, proliferation, differentiation and extracellular matrix remodeling. Understanding cell-matrix interactions that regulate wound healing and tissue remodeling will be used to improve the design of tissue-engineered analogs for the repair of soft and hard tissue injuries. Research areas include: (1) studies investigating the roles of microfabricated scaffolds on keratinocyte function for tissue engineering of skin; (2) development of tissue scaffolds that mimic the microstructural organization and mechanical responsiveness of native tissues; and (3) development of microfabricated cell culture systems to understand how extracellular matrix molecules regulate epithelial cell growth and differentiation.
Cardiovascular Regeneration
Research projects focus on regenerating functional cardiac muscle tissue. Research areas include: (1) stimulating adult cardiac myocytes, a cell previously considered to be post-mitotic, to enter the cell cycle; (2) differentiating adult stem cells into cardiac myocytes; and (3) scaffold based cardiac regeneration. The efficacy of these technologies are tested with in vitro and in vivomodels using molecular and cellular tools and the functionality is assessed using high spatial resolution mechanical and electrical method.
Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering and Extracellular Matrix Biology
The extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by cells dictates tissue architecture and presents biochemical signals that direct cell proliferation, differentiation and migration. Generating an appropriate ECM is critical for proper physiological and mechanical performance of engineered tissues. Research projects include: (1) design and testing of genetic and biochemical engineering strategies to stimulate cellular ECM synthesis and organization, (2) cell-based approaches to generate tissue engineered blood vessels (TEBV), (3) evaluation of ECM production and its effect on TEBV mechanical properties, and (4) ECM gene delivery approaches for in situ tissue regeneration.
Last modified: August 11, 2008 14:50:52