Our lab is primarily interested in the development of biologically active materials and their use and behavior in cardiovascular tissue engineering. It is important to understand molecular and cellular mechanisms during processes such as vasculogenesis as well as the structure of both natural and synthetic polymers and their effect on living tissues. With this fundamental knowledge base, biomaterials can be designed to mimic naturally occurring structures found in the supporting extracellular matrix.

We utilize a number of techniques including polymer synthesis and characterization using traditional wet chemistry techniques as well as various biochemical analysis techniques. We culture bone marrow stem cells and evaluate differentiated phenotype and function using immunohistochemistry and PCR. Our lab is also working on developing in vitro models of vascularization based on coronary vessel development during embryogenesis.

Matrices and scaffolds for drug delivery in vascular tissue engineering (2007) Adv Drug Deliv Rev 59, 360-373.

Controlled Release of Stromal Cell Derived Factor-1alpha in situ Increases Stem Cell Homing to the Infarcted Heart (2007) Tissue Engineering 13, 2063-2071.

Three-Dimensional Culture for Expansion and Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells (2006) Biomaterials 47, 6004-6014.

A PEGylated Fibrin Patch for Mesenchymal Stem Cell Delivery (2006) Tissue Engineering 12, 9-19.

Graduate Students: