The biomaterials subgroup focuses on cell interactions with a variety
of self-assembled structures to design functional materials for
regenerative medicine. These structures vary from the nanoscale (e.g.,
peptide amphiphile nanofibers) to the microscale (e.g., porous
biodegradable scaffolds). Projects are underway to design synthetic
biomaterials that interact in specific, controllable ways with cells and
proteins.
Every project in this subgroup combines the tools of cell biology,
chemistry, and materials science to examine some aspect of cellular
interaction with a defined material. The cells vary from primary
mesenchymal and nerve cells, isolated within our own labs, to
well-established infinite cell lines. These cells are then allowed
to interact with a variety of self-assembling materials, to determine
effects on cell adhesion, phenotype, morphology, metabolism, toxicity,
and/or gene expression. Translational and pre-clinical studies are
underway in collaboration with colleagues at Northwestern's Feinberg
School of Medicine, the Institute for BioNanotechnology in Medicine, and
elsewhere to image, track and use these materials in vivo as regenerative
scaffolds for wound healing and repair of skeletal, neural and cardiac
tissues.
