
Our overriding interests are in the fields of tissue engineering, wound healing, biosensors, and long term improvement of medical device implantation. My basic research interests are in the area of physiological mechanisms of optimizing substrate transport to tissue. This broad topic covers studies on a whole animal, whole organ, hemorheological, microvascular, cellular, ultrastructural, and molecular level. The current projects include:
1) control of blood flow and flow distribution in the microcirculation,
2) the effects of long-term synthetic and biologic implants on substrate transport to tissues,
3) tissue engineering; combining isolated cells, especially adult stem cells, with biomaterials to form specialized composite structures for implantation, with particular emphasis on endothelial cell physiology and its alteration by isolation and seeding on biomaterials.
4) decreasing the thrombogenicity of synthetic blood vessels and other blood-contacting devices, and improving their overall performance and biocompatibility.
5) reducing tissue damage resulting from abnormal perfusion (e.g., relative ischemia, anoxia, etc.) and therapies which minimize ischemic damage.
6) biosensor function, particularly glucose sensors in normal and diabetics.
7) measurement of tissue blood flow and oxygenation as an indicator of tissue viability and functional potential.
8) development of biocompatible materials for soft tissue reconstruction or augmentation.
9) improving performance of glaucoma drainage devices by directing a more favorable foreign body reaction
10) wound healing; particularly internal healing around foreign materials and the effect and prevention of microbes around implanted devices.
Education and Training
- Ph.D., University of Virginia, 1979
In the News
- Time's Best Inventions of the YearSeptember 1, 2007
Selected Grants
- University Training Program in Biomolecular and Tissue Engineering
- A Novel Scaffold to Promote Skin Regeneration
- Bruce Klitzman Sponsored Professorship
- Linking oxygen and bacterial ecology in necrotizing enterocolitis
- In Vivo Testing of Glaucoma Drainage Devices in Rabbits
- Establishing Implantable Oxygen Sensors and Correlation with Flap Viability
- Plasmonics-Active SERS Nanoplatforms for In Vivo Diagnostics
- Nanoplatform for Tracking Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Migration
- Luminescent Sensors for continuous monitoring of PAD
- Biosensor Biocompatibility
- Optical measurement of subcutaneous glucose in rats
- Non Muscle Myosin II Contractility Putatively Regulates Scar Contracture
- EPC Adhesion to Teflon-AF and ePTFE Vascular Grafts
- Biocompatibility of Implantable Biosensors
- Advanced BioMaterials as Implantable Chemical Sensors
- Training in Biomolecular and Tissue Engineering
- Cell Viability in Implantable Diffusion Chambers
- Cellular Engineering of Chronically Implanted Devices
- Heat & Radiation Effects On Tumor Microcirculation
- Effects Of Heat And Radiation On Tumor
- Event Sponsorship: Tissue Engineering Interest Group
- Effects Of Heat And Radiation On Tumor Microcirculation
- Effects Of Systemic Hematocrit On Microvessel Hematocrit