Biomaterials for Cell Delivery

Aaron S. Goldstein, PhD, designs and evaluates two- and three-dimensional tissue microenvironments to guide stem cell differentiation into orthopedic tissue phenotypes. His research involves the combination of biocompatible materials and materials processing techniques to systematically and spatially vary the chemistry, topography, and mechanical properties of the biomaterial surfaces that are presented to cells. His interests also include the use of perfusion and mechanical stretch bioreactors to stimulate cell phenotypes through the activation of mechanotransductive signaling pathways. He is the author of more than 40 peer-reviewed research articles in the areas of biomaterials, cell adhesion, and tissue engineering. He earned a BS in chemical engineering from the University of California and a PhD in chemical and biomedical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. He was a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Bioengineering at Rice University before joining the Department of Chemical Engineering at Virginia Tech in 1999.

• Natural materials for cell-based therapies. Synthetic polymers for cell-based therapies. Decellularized tissues for bioengineering of whole organs. Cell-based approaches for vascularized tissue formation. Using biomaterials to deliver cells in vivo for neural tissue engineering applications.Cell carriers for bone and cartilage repair in vivo. Delivering therapeutic cells to the heart. In vivo cell delivery:Pancreatic islet transplantation. Cutaneous wound healing. Incorporaton of in vitro cell conditioning for enhanced development of tissue-engineered skeletal muscle implants. Conditioning cells in vitro to facilitate tendon and ligament regeneration. In vitro cell conditioning for the development of engineered blood vessels. Perspectives for clinical translation: How stem cells and biomaterials affect vasculogenesis and neurogenesis in preclinical and clinical models.