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Biomedical Engineering

Research Interests

• Cardiovascular tissue engineering
• Extracellular matrix analogs
• Adult progenitor cells
• Vasculogenesis

Research Focus
The Suggs research lab is primarily interested in the development of biologically active materials and their use and behavior in cardiovascular tissue engineering, with an emphasis on molecular and cellular mechanisms during processes such as vasculogenesis as well as the structure of both natural and synthetic polymers and their effect on living tissues. With this fundamental knowledge base, biomaterials can be designed to mimic naturally occurring structures found in the supporting extracellular matrix.

Suggs is developing structural entities that allow for three-dimensional organization and directed differentiation of progenitor cell types. The end goal is to grow vascular beds de novo for applications such as prevascularization of tissue-engineered constructs or revascularizing ischemic myocardium. Suggs' research lab utilizes a number of techniques, including polymer synthesis and characterization using traditional wet chemistry techniques, as well as various biochemical analysis techniques. They culture bone marrow stem cells and evaluate differentiated phenotype and function using immunohistochemistry and PCR. They are also working on developing in vitro models of vascularization based on coronary vessel development during embryogenesis.

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Suggs Lab

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Research Interests

• Vision research
• Biomedical sensors
• Laser applications
• Neuroprosthesis design

Research Focus
Rylander's research is focused on developing objective tests for visual function and finding new applications for lasers in ophthalmology. Current projects include a VEP visual function-based method for early diagnosis of glaucoma, a feedback control system for panretinal photocoagulation, an improved delivery system for cyclo-photocoagulation and a holmium-YAG technique for drilling holes in the stapes bone.

Previously, Rylander has supervised research on RK surgery to correct myopia and thermokeratoplasty to correct hyperopia. A method for acquiring non-contact endothelial cell counts was developed that relied on computer-assisted image analysis to determine cell boundaries.

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Research Interests

• Computational drug discovery
• Multiscale physical modeling of proteins and nucleic acids
• Structure and function of protein-mimetics and biomaterials

Research Focus
Ren's lab research is focused on molecular modeling of biological systems for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. Computational biology and molecular modeling that integrate our knowledge in computer science, chemistry, physics and biology allow us to understand the fundamental molecular driving forces in chemistry and biology, such as molecular recognition and protein structure-function relationship. With accurate in silico prediction of molecular interactions, they seek to engineer novel molecules, from small organic molecules to protein mimetics, with controlled structure and function for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.

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Research Interests

• Controlled drug delivery
• Biomedical engineering
• Biomaterials
• Tissue engineering
• Molecular modeling of protein structures in contact with biomaterials and tissues
• Modeling of biomedical devices
• Bionanotechnology
• Molecular recognition processes
• Polymer physics
• Polymerization reaction engineering
• Diffusion in polymers

Research Focus
Peppas' research lab contributions have been in several areas of drug delivery, biomaterials, biomolecular engineering, mass transfer, kinetics and reaction engineering, polymers and biomedical engineering. Their multidisciplinary approach in biomolecular engineering blends modern molecular and cellular biology with engineering to generate next-generation systems and devices, including bioMEMS with enhanced applicability, reliability, functionality and longevity.

His group's fundamental studies have provided valuable results on biomaterials design and development. Peppas and his lab is known for their work on the preparation, characterization and evaluation of the behavior of compatible, cross-linked polymers known as hydrogels, which have been used as biocompatible materials and in controlled release devices, especially in controlled delivery of drugs, peptides and proteins, development of novel biomaterials, biomedical transport phenomena, and biointerfacial problems. This work has led to a series of novel controlled release systems known as swelling controlled release systems, a series of pH-sensitive devices for drug delivery and a wide range of bio- and mucoadhesive systems. They include novel systems for insulin delivery to treat Type 1 diabetic patients, calcitonin delivery for osteoporosis treatment, growth hormone delivery, delivery of siRNA for treatment of Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and celiac disease, treatment of hemophilia by oral Factor IX delivery, new systems for interferon beta delivery for multiple sclerosis treatment, etc.

The research group's other biomedical work involves understanding the transport of biological compounds in tissues, analyzing polymer/tissue interactions, understanding the behavior of biomembranes, and developing intelligent, recognitive systems for protein delivery.

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Laboratory of Biomaterials, Drug Delivery and Bionanotechnology

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Research Interests

• Biomedical informatics
• Machine learning
• Biomedical image processing
• Clinical decision support
• Medical decision-making

Research Focus
Under the direction of Mia K. Markey, the mission of the Biomedical Informatics Lab (BMIL) is to design decision support systems for clinical decision making and scientific discovery. The BMIL seeks opportunities to advance health-related quality of life and health equity. For example, a current project seeks to develop a decision support system that will enable breast cancer patients, in consultation with their health care providers, to choose a reconstruction strategy with maximal potential to optimize psychosocial adjustment.

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Biomedical Informatics Lab (BMIL)

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