Research Interests
My research focuses on developing osteochondral constructs for applications in tissue engineering. Some elements of this process include:
1. Creating unique three-dimensional polymeric constructs to serve as scaffolds for tissue proliferation.
2. Recovering and culturing human umbilical cord matrix (HUCM) stem cells as a new source for tissue generation.
3. Developing gradients of chemical and bioactive signals (such as growth factors like TGF-beta, BMP-2, IGF-1) for use with polymeric scaffolds and HUCM stem cells.
4. Controlling osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of HUCM stem cells when seeded onto gradient scaffolds.
5. Working with nanomaterials to increase the mechanical stiffness of polymer constructs for bone tissue engineering, and to enhance osseointegration.
6. Investigating the viability and proliferation of cells, specifically chondrocytes, inside dual network hydrogels.
