(3ds) Smart Biomaterials

Smart Biomaterials

Advances in
biomaterial research have greatly impacted biological research through new
innovations in areas such as treatment. 
However, many grand challenges still exist as the boundaries between
biology, chemistry, and engineering continue to merge.  These challenges include the further
improvement of biomaterial biocompatibility and the control of cell movement
and differentiation in vitro and in vivo [1]. 

As a
doctorate student in the chemical and biomolecular engineering
department at Vanderbilt University, I developed a two-component allograft
mineralized bone particle (AMBP)/polyurethane (PUR) system for the treatment of
bone defects [2].  The biodegradable PUR phase, which consisted
of lysine triisocyanate and polyester polyol, had tunable degradation rates and mechanical
properties.  The AMBP phase, which is
bound to the PUR phase, was used as a filler to enhance the mechanical
properties and provide a resorbable pathway for
cellular infiltration.  The adaptability of
the AMBP/PUR composite system made it suitable for multiple applications
including an implant or injectable platform [3].  Further,
the AMBP/PUR composites served as a delivery system for biologics such as
recombinant human morphogenic protein (rhBMP-2),
accelerating new bone formation in critical size defects in New Zealand White
(NZW) rabbits.   

As an
Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award (IRACDA)
postdoctoral fellow in the biomedical engineering department at Georgia
Institute of Technology/Emory University, I am studying the role of proteases
in cancer.  I am developing a detection
device based from multiplex cathepsin zymography, which uses a gelatin substrate in a SDS-PAGE gel
to quantify enzyme activity.  Cathepsin activity has shown to be upregulated
in cancer tissue, and this difference is used to distinguish normal from tumor
tissue [4].  Concurrently, I am utilizing hydrogel and polyurethane technology to create an in vitro
bone metastasis model that will study key parameters such as protease (i.e., cathepsin) activity and cell invasion rate.     

I intend to
answer the grand challenges of biomaterials in my lab as a faculty member.  My initial goals will include the fabrication
of intelligent biomaterials for both treatment (e.g., tissue regeneration) and
in vitro models capable of modeling disease pathology (e.g., cancer).  I am excited about forging collaborations and
expanding my knowledge to accomplish the challenges that await me in the
future. 

References.

1.         Reichert, W.M., et al., 2010 Panel on the Biomaterials Grand
Challenges. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, 2011. 96A(2): p. 275-287.

2.         Guelcher, S.A., et al., Synthesis, mechanical properties,
biocompatibility, and biodegradation of polyurethane networks from lysine
polyisocyanates. Biomaterials, 2008. 29(12):
p. 1762-75.

3.         Dumas, J.E., et al., Synthesis, characterization, and remodeling
of weight-bearing allograft bone/polyurethane composites in the rabbit.
Acta Biomater. 6(7): p. 2394-406.

4.         Chen, B. and M.O. Platt, Multiplex Zymography Captures Stage-specific
Activity Profiles of Cathepsins K, L, and S in Human Breast, Lung, and Cervical
Cancer. Journal of translational medicine, 2011. 9: p. 109.