The primary focus of Professor Detamore’s Tissue Engineering Laboratory is the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), commonly known as the jaw joint (see figure). People with disorders of the TMJ can have minor problems such as clicking noises from a displaced disc. Unfortunately, in more severe cases, everyday things most people take for granted like chewing or talking become agonizing and painful. Something as simple as a yawn before bedtime can cause excruciating pain.

While there are several possible reasons for TMJ problems (arthritis, trauma, internal derangement, ankylosis, tumors, etc.), the joint is not able to heal itself and regenerate lost tissue. Our group endeavors to address this problem with tissue engineering. In particular, our tissue engineering efforts are focused on the mandibular condyle, comprised of bone and cartilage. Our strategies include investigation of cell sources, cell co-culture, scaffold design, bioreactor design, and novel cell signaling combinations. Moreover, we are examining the biomechanics of the condylar cartilage in an effort to reveal future tissue engineering strategies.

Students in the Tissue Engineering Laboratory use a variety of techniques, including sterile technique and cell culture, biomechanical testing, histology, immunohistochemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), biochemical testing, and electron microscopy. Collaborations exist both inside and outside the Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Department (http://www.cpe.engr.ku.edu/) at KU , at the dental school in nearby Kansas City ( http://web1.umkc.edu/dentistry/), and beyond.