Anshu Mather, Ph.D
Adjoint Professor |
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Anshu Mathur, Ph.D.
Adjoint Professor
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Education
- Ph.D. - Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, 2001
- MS - Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, 1999
- MS - Polymer Chemistry, N.C. State University, 1995
- BS - Polymer Chemistry: Magna Cum Laude, N.C. State University, 1993
- BS - Biochemistry: Magna Cum Laude, N.C. State University, 1994
Other Appointments
Dual/Joint Appointment
- Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering Department, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
Research Interests
The overall research objective focuses on elucidating the cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in tissue engineered constructs developed from biologically derived materials for the treatment of chronic dermal wounds, where mechanical coupling of cell-matrix interface leads to contraction of the wound and cell-cell coupling is required to vascularize and activate normal scarring. The mechanics of cell-cell and cell-matrix interface in three-dimension systems will be engineered and studied using the instrumentation of atomic force microscopy coupled with total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy and 3-D optical sectioning (AFM-TIRFM-OS). AFM-TIRFM was developed to study the apical surface of cell simultaneously with the basal surface in order to measure precise and localized chemical interactions (ligand-receptor binding), apply physical stimuli (force application in nanonewtons), obtain a topographical map of the cell’s apical surface, determine elasticity of the apical cell-surface from force-indentation curves, assess the effect of signaling molecules, chemical messengers, inflammatory cytokines, and other pertinent disease specific molecules on the cell-substrate adhesion, cell-cell adhesion, and cytoskeletal components as well as correlate this information to the mechanical response of the cell.
Following is a list of current projects
- To elucidate the therapeutic effects of chitosan-fibroin biopolymer blends on matrix-remodeling in order to transform the mechanical environment of the wound, redistribute cell focal adhesions, and influence mechanical properties of the cell and the matrix.
- To exploit silk fibroin biopolymer micro/nano structure to tissue-engineer a scaffold that supports angiogenesis in order to provide blood supply to a healing wound.
- To assess the synergistic effects of emodin loaded chitosan-fibroin nanospheres on chronic dermal wounds and scars by examining the RTK signaling to matrix adhesion sites in fibroblasts using TIRFM, thus providing a novel way to study therapeutic effects of drugs.
Selected Publications
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