Project Title:

Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(ester urethane)urea Delivery Systems for Bone Tissue Engineering

Scott A. Guelcher

Brief Description of Project:

A fundamental goal of orthopaedic tissue engineering is to design and develop biodegradable materials having targeted biological and biomechanical properties that direct regeneration and healing of damaged tissues in vivo. There is a particularly compelling clinical need for therapies that promote enhanced fracture healing in the elderly, osteoporotic patient. A non-cell-based strategy for achieving this goal involves incorporating growth factors in an injectable delivery system. Based on this approach, the overall objective of this project is to design and develop an injectable therapy comprising demineralized bone matrix (DBM) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB) delivered in a biocompatible, biodegradable poly(ester urethane)urea (PEUUR) biomaterial. Our overall hypothesis is that the PEUUR/DBM-PDGF therapy will enhance fracture healing in the elderly, osteoporotic patient. As a first step toward achieving the overall project objective, a preliminary small project will be executed to investigate the feasibility of the PEUUR/DBM-PDGF composite delivery system in vitro.

Nature of Supervision:

Work with Professors Guelcher and Shastri and their graduate students.

A Brief Research Plan (period is for 10 weeks):

An undergraduate student working on this project would be involved in the synthesis of biodegradable poly(ester urethane)urea foams and composites with demineralized bone matrix.

Number of Open Slots:

1

Contact Information: