Orthopedic Biomaterials Laboratory

The Orthopedic Biomaterials Laboratory is interested in the regulation of bone and cartilage cell metabolism by extracellular signals, both chemical and biophysical, the mechanism by which these signals control cell behavior and how this changes as a function of disease and aging. The group is especially interested in the mechanism by which bone adapts to mechanical loading and unloading at the cell and molecular level.

We also have a strong interest in the role of gap junctional intercellular communication in cellular differentiation, tumorigenesis and metastasis, wound healing and bone turnover. Additionally, we have a research program focusing on developing novel protocols for musculoskeletal regenerative medicine and tissue engineering; This program includes an examination of how biomaterial characteristics, including surface energy and nanoscale topography, affect stem cell differentiation towards the bone cell lineage. Finally, studies in our laboratory also focus on the integrated proteomic and genomic response of cells to biophysical signals. Techniques we use include cell culture, molecular biology, animal transgenics, microspectroflourometry, nanofabrication, atomic force microscopy, biomechanical testing, histology and microCT. Most experiments utilize human and murine bone cell models but we also complete in vivo studies on rats and mice.