Our Research Areas
Our research program is focused on designing novel and dynamic nanofilms (biodegradable, bioactive, micropatterned) for cell adhesion, differentiation and functionality, nanomaterials for dental & orthopedic implants , layer-by-layer assembly for cell encapsulation, nanoparticle-based drug delivery, anti-infective nanofilms, 3D printing of bioactive biomedical materials, application of nanoscale topographic and chemical cues for controlling chondro- and osteogenesis, structure-function relationships in TMJ soft tissues, and engineering tissues for TMJ repair or replacement. We are a diverse group with researchers from across the globe including China, Costa Rica, India, Iran, and the United States.
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Bone Tissue Engineering
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Hydrogels made from “green” materials that would be used to regenerate damaged tissues like bone and cartilage by enhancing body’s innate regenerative abilities. The target cells which will re built the damaged bone and cartilage are stromal stem cells, osteoblasts, and chondroblasts. The Nanoseeds Project is being developed by Sonali Karnik, PhD candidate in Biomedical Engineering. Osteoblasts regenerate and repair damaged bone by producing an osteoid matrix and, subsequently, mineralizing it. The bone repair process is initiated by mobilizing osteoblasts to the site of damaged bone. In certain bone disorders, elderly individuals, and in some osteogenic disease states, bone repair and healing is prolonged, and oftentimes, there is a complete lack of healing. The healing process may be accelerated and enhanced through the enhanced recruitment of increased numbers of osteoprogenitor cells and osteoblasts to the site of injury. Osteoprogenitor cells would differentiate in-situ into osteoblasts, and with the recruited osteoblasts, would actively regenerate new bone. Recent studies have indicated a critical role for various growth factors as chemoattractants (CTs) during the process of endochondral ossification and fracture repair. In many cases, these same CTs also have proliferative and differentiation influence on human osteoblasts. This study’s principal goal is to develop a novel nanocomposite, a ‘Nanoseed’ composed of an alginate/halloysite clay nanotube (HNTs) nanocomposites doped with osteogenic chemoattractants (Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 (BMP2), Pleiotropin (PT), Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF), and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF).
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Bone cements are the biomaterials used in orthopedic and dental surgeries. They are used in treating bone illnesses like osteoporosis and also used to hold implants in place. Poly Methylmethacrylate cements are widely used but have serious limitations. Monomer toxicity and high heat of polymerization have necrotic effect on surrounding tissue. Calcium Phosphate cements (CPCs) are the alternatives for cements. CPCs are good osteoconductive biometrials but have limitations with their mechanical properties. We, at BioMorph labs are working on fabricating strong, osteoinductive and better CPCs using nanotechnology.
Scanning Electron Micrograph of a ‘Nanoseed’. Above) Single nanoseed below) higher power showing its surface.
The Nanoseed Concept. Alginate hydrogels containing doped HNTs are implanted into bone fracture sites and serve as chemoattractant signaling systems. Recruited stems cells differentiated to form new bone cells which assemble a reparative bone matrix.
2. Drug and Gene Delivery Systems
We are working on fabrication of drug and gene delivery systems using emulsion-based, nanoprecipitation and lipid film hydration techniques. Our strategy is to design multifunctional hybrid nanoparticles capable of combinatorial drug and gene targeting to overcoming drug resistant cancer cells. In BioMorph lab, we design and synthesize different therapeutic vehicles including:
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Polymeric nanoparticles for encapsulation of antineoplastic agents.
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Lipid-based nanoparticles as gene delivery carriers.
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Lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (core-corona architectures) for sequential dual drug delivery platforms.
Core-shell hybrid lipid/polymer nanoparticles for combinatorial drug and gene delivery.
3. 3D fabrication techniques for orthopedic bone cementa
We are working on fabrication of drug and gene delivery systems using emulsion-based, nanoprecipitation and lipid film hydration techniques. Our strategy is to design We have developed an innovative method for using affordable, consumer-grade 3D printers and materials to fabricate custom medical implants that can contain antibacterial and chemotherapeutic compounds for targeted drug delivery. We have created filament extruders that can make medical-quality 3D printing filaments. Creating these filaments, which have specialized properties for drug delivery, is a new concept that can result in smart drug delivering medical implants or catheters. "After identifying the usefulness of the 3D printers, we realized there was an opportunity for rapid prototyping using this fabrication method," said Jeffery Weisman, a doctoral student in Louisiana Tech's biomedical engineering program. "Through the addition of nanoparticles and/or other additives, this technology becomes much more viable using a common 3D printing material that is already biocompatible. The material can be loaded with antibiotics or other medicinal compounds, and the implant can be naturally broken down by the body over time." Over 150 news outlets, journals, science societies and on-line magazines have reported on this story. These include: Russia Today, The Israel Messenger, The UK’s National Headlines, and the Iran Daily.
