Multi-Functional Biomaterials for Medical Applications

Tissue engineering is an interdisciplinary field incorporating concepts from engineering, biological sciences, and medicine with the goal of engineering biological substitutes to maintain, restore and promote normal tissue function. Polymer-based biomaterials have played an important role in the development of tissue constructs that mimic the structures and physical properties of the native tissues. However, there are still many challenges in micro-engineering biomaterials with tunable physical and biological properties for the development of fully functional tissue constructs. The combination of advanced biomaterials with micro- and nanoscale technologies have been shown to hold great potential to address the current challenges in tissue engineering. Our research focuses on developing biomimetic elastic biomaterials and nanocomposite hydrogels, with controlled architecture, and physical and biological properties, utilizing recombinant proteins. These advanced biomaterials are integrated with different micro- and nano-fabrication technologies to engineer biomimetic tissue constructs for engineering soft and elastic tissues. Furthermore, we have developed new chemistries to improve the adhesion of these biomaterials to the tissue surfaces and use them as multi-functional bioadhesives for sealing and repair of soft tissues such lung, heart, skin, and cornnea. In addition, our group has designed different nano delivery planforms which can be incorporated in these bioadhesives for gene and drug delivery applications. In this presentation, I will outline our recent work on the development of nanocomposite elastic hydrogels for tissue engineering along with their clinical applications as tissue adhesives and surgical sealants.