Christine Schmidt, Ph.D.
Professor |
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Christine Schmidt, Ph.D.
Professor
- Curriculum Vitae
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
CPE 4.418, MC C0400
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, Texas 78712
Phone: (512) 471-1690
- Lab Website
Research Focus
Cellular and Tissue Engineering
Research Interests
Our research is focused on analyzing and designing biomaterials that can interface with neurons and specifically stimulate and guide nerves to regenerate. New technologies to aid nerve regeneration will ultimately require that biomaterials be designed both to physically support tissue growth as well as to elicit desired receptor-specific responses from particular cell types. One way of achieving such interactive biomaterials is with the incorporation of biological molecules into synthetic matrices or the use of natural-based biomaterials that interact favorable with the body. Along these lines, we are exploring the use of electrically conducting polymers, which can actively stimulate nerve fiber growth, and the modification of these synthetic polymers with biological moieties. In addition, we are investigating natural materials, such as protein and sugar-based materials that are naturally derived from the body as well as the modification of intact nerve tissues so that these tissues can serve as off-the-shelf scaffolds that do not elicit an immune response. We also study the mechanisms of axon extension so that we can more rationally design devices to promote nerve repair. Ultimately, these biomaterials could be used to aid the repair of damaged peripheral nerves, such as might be required for facial and hand reconstruction or in trauma cases, and potentially could be used to aid the regeneration of damaged spinal cord.
Selected Publications
- Seidlits, S., J.Y. Lee, C.E. Schmidt (2008). Nanostructured Scaffolds for Neural Applications. Nanomedicine. 3(2): 183-199.
- Guimard, N., N. Gomez, C.E. Schmidt (2007). Conducting Polymers in Biomedical Applications. Progress in Polymer Science. 32: 876–92. [Journal Impact Factor=14.818; 2006]
- Gomez, N., J.Y. Lee, J.D. Nickels, C.E. Schmidt (2007). Micropatterned Polypyrrole: Combination of Electrical and Topographical Characteristics for Stimulation of Cells. Advanced Functional Materials. 17: 1645-1653. [Journal Impact Factor=6.779; 2006]
- Gomez, N., Y. Lu, S. Chen, C.E. Schmidt (2007). Immobilized Nerve Growth Factor and Microtopography Have Distinct Effects on Polarization Versus Axon Elongation in Hippocampal Cells in Culture. Biomaterials. 28: 271-284. [Journal Impact Factor=5.196; 2006]
- Lee, J.W., F. Serna, Christine E. Schmidt (2006) Carboxy-Endcapped Conductive Polypyrrole: Biomimetic Conducting Polymer for Cell Scaffolds and Electrodes. Langmuir. 22: 9816-9819 [Journal Impact Factor=3.902; 2006]
- Sanghvi, A.B., K.P-H. Miller, A.M. Belcher, C.E. Schmidt (2005). Biomaterials functionalization using a novel peptide that selectively binds to an electrically conducting polymer. Nature Materials. 4: 496-502. [Journal Impact Factor=19.194; 2006]
- Leach, J.B., C.E. Schmidt (2005). Characterization of protein release from photocrosslinkable hyaluronic acid-polyethylene glycol hydrogels. Biomaterials. 26(2): 125-135. [Journal Impact Factor=5.196; 2006]
Extended List of Publications
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