Two McGowan Institute researchers have been named by Scientific American magazine as research leaders within the 2006 Scientific American 50 [www.sciam.com]. The magazine’s prestigious annual list recognizing outstanding acts of leadership in science and technology from the past year includes the McGowan Institute’s William Wagner, PhD. and Michael Sacks, PhD
The work of Dr. Wagner and Dr. Sacks that forms the basis of this prestigious recognition is their development of novel biodegradable scaffolds. Work related to this award is described in the paper “Microintegrating smooth muscle cells into a biodegradable, elastomeric fiber matrix” that was published in the journal Biomaterials (Volume 27, Issue 5, February 2006, Pages 735-744; available at www.sciencedirect.com). This paper summarizes the fabrication of biodegradable elastomers by electrospinning. The matrices that are formed resemble the scale and mechanical behavior of the native extracellular matrix. Dr. Wagner and his colleagues achieve high-cellular density and infiltration by electrospraying vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) concurrently with electrospinning a biodegradable, elastomeric poly(ester urethane)urea (PEUU).
In addition, the research described in the paper “Design and analysis of tissue engineering scaffolds that mimic soft tissue mechanical anisotropy” which was published in the journal Biomaterials (Volume 27, Issue 19, July 2006, Pages 3631-3638; available at www.sciencedirect.com) addresses the fact that tissue engineered constructs must exhibit tissue-like functional properties, including mechanical behavior comparable to the native tissues they are intended to replace. Moreover, the ability to reversibly undergo large strains to promote and guide tissue growth is realized with this new fabrication approach.
Electrospun poly (ester urethane) ureas (ES-PEUU) are elastomeric and allow for the control of fiber diameter, porosity, and degradation rate. ES-PEUU scaffolds can be fabricated to have a well-aligned fiber network, which is important for applications involving mechanically anisotropic soft tissues. The researchers have developed ES-PEUU scaffolds under variable speed conditions and modeled the effects of fiber orientation on the macro-mechanical properties of the scaffold.
To illustrate the ability to simulate native tissue mechanical behavior, Drs. Wagner and Sacks demonstrated that the high velocity spun scaffolds exhibited highly anisotropic mechanical properties closely resembling the native pulmonary heart valve leaflet. Moreover, use of the present fiber-level structural constitutive model allows for the determination of electrospinning conditions to tailor ES-PEUU scaffolds for specific soft tissue applications. The results of these studies will help to provide the basis for rationally designed mechanically anisotropic soft tissue engineered implants.
Scientific American Editor-In-Chief John Rennie: “The Scientific American 50 pays tribute to individuals and organizations who, through their efforts in research, business and policy-making, are driving advances in science and technology that lay the groundwork for a better future. Not only does our list honor these prime movers – it shines a spotlight on the critical fields that are benefiting from their achievements.”
Selected by the magazine’s Board of Editors with the help of distinguished outside advisors, the Scientific American 50 recognizes research, business and policy leaders who have played a critical role driving key science and technology trends over the last year in fields including robotics, genetics, Alzheimer’s research, nanotechnology and more.
Past Scientific American 50 lists have spotlighted visionaries from an array of fields. Prior honorees have included Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin (sharing SA 50 2005 Business Leader of the Year); noted stem cell researcher Douglas A. Melton, Professor of the National Sciences at Harvard (2004 Policy Leader of the Year); Nobel prize-winning neurobiologist Roderick MacKinnon, Professor of Molecular Neurobiology and Biophysics of Rockefeller University (2003 Aerospace/Business Leader): global public health leader Gro Harlem Brundtland, former World Health Organization Secretary General (2003 Policy Leader of the Year); corporate chief Jeffrey Immelt, Chairman and CEO, General Electric Company (2002 General Technology/Business Leader).