Cell-Biomaterial Interactions
Cells are known to exhibit altered behavior in response to the stiffness of the material to which they are anchored, as well as to the nature of peptide ligands available for them to bind to. We are exploring the reasons behind this behavior and how it can be manipulated to alter macrophage response and stem cell differentiation and behaviour.
Delivery of adipose-derived stem cells to treat critical limb ischemia
Collaborators:
Dr. Lauren Flynn (Western University) and Dr. David Hess (Western University)
Protein/ Peptide Delivery
We are currently developing novel polymer formulations for the sustained and local delivery of peptides, growth factors, and small molecules for applications ranging from bone regeneration to therapeutic angiogenesis to ocular delivery.
Low melting point, amphiphilic microspheres for injectable therapeutic protein delivery
Phototriggerable polymers for ocular drug delivery
Viscous liquid polymers for local pro-angiogenic growth factor delivery
Collaborators:
Dr. Don Maurice (Queen’s University)
Soft Connective Tissue Regeneration
As part of the CONNECT! NSERC CREATE Program in Soft Connective Tissue Regeneration/Therapy we are currently developing adipose-derived stem cell based therapies to regenerate damaged articular cartilage, ligaments, the nucleus of the intervertebral disc, and adipose tissue.
Collaborators:
Dr. Davide Bardana (Orthopaedic Surgery, Queen’s University), Dr. Andrew Winterborn (Veterinarian, Queen’s University) and Dr. Lauren Flynn (Western University)
Engineering adipogenesis for soft tissue regeneration
Collaborators:
Dr. Lauren Flynn (Western University)
Articular cartilage reconstruction using an injectable hydrogel and adipose-derived stem cells
Hossein Riahinezhad
Collaborators:
Dr. Lauren Flynn (Western University), and Dr. Mark Hurtig (Guelph University)
Combinatorial analysis of bioreactor conditions for ASC differentiation towards Nucleus Pulposus cells
Ta Phung
Collaborators:
Dr. Lauren Flynn (Western University), Dr. Cheryle Seguin (Western University) and Dr. Craig Simmons (University of Toronto)
Synthesis of Biodegradable Polymers
Utilizing a variety of monomer synthesis approaches primarily based on the preparation of functionalized monomers capable of ring-opening polymerization, we are developing photoactivatable, biodegradable polymers for drug delivery, elastomers as scaffold materials for load-bearing soft tissues, and hydrogels for stem cell delivery capable of withstanding long-term mechanical loading.
