New Technologies

• Mineralized structures – Center members have identified new signaling and regulation systems for the expression of bone and dentin genes. Manipulation of these pathways will guide cells to develop into site-specific tissues.
• Protein-based polymer gels – impregnated with genes and growth factors, the gels control the release of these agents as they are incorporated into developing tissue.
• Non-viral gene delivery based on the calcium phosphate system – the Center’ s own novel biocompatible nanoparticles of calcium phosphate can be used as a non-viral method of delivering genes, such as those that regulate the formation of bone and teeth. Several forms of these nanoparticles have been synthesized successfully and tested for their ability to transfect cells. This research is performed in collaboration with Dr. Prashant Kumta.
• Cell-surface interaction – a major focus of the Center. Studying how fabricated patterned surfaces affect stem cells illustrates the biology of cells as they interface with the next generation of tissue-engineered biodegradable scaffolds.
• Extracellular matrix scaffolds – porcine small intestinal submucosa, the most common extracellular matrix scaffold, has already helped some 300,000 patients regenerate soft tissue. Center members are developing three dimensional scaffolds of this material combined with composite materials. These will generate the combination of soft and ineralized tissues necessary for the restoration of facial function.

This work soon will make several landmark achievements possible: the synthesis of material based on bone proteins, the growth of teeth in vitro, the creation of novel biomaterials based on nanotechnology, and a suite of new mineralized tissues and structures. [continue]