The overall goal of our research program is to develop pro-regenerative scaffolds and in vitro disease models using naturally derived biomaterials and innate cellular capabilities. These models can help us gain a better understanding of healthy and diseased states, and ultimately develop novel therapeutics to improve patient outcomes.
Research in our lab has been supported by the NIH, PhRMA Foundation, Arkansas Biosciences Institute, UAMS Arkansas Breast Cancer Research Program, U of A Chancellor’s Innovation Fund, and U of A Women’s Giving Circle.
Current research projects are descried below:
Tissue Engineering Approaches to Study Cancer-Nerve Crosstalk
A key undervalued component of cancer progression is its crosstalk with adjacent nerves. This interaction prompts perineural invasion and tumor innervation, which accelerate tumor metastasis to secondary locations. Using tissue engineered in vitro modeling platforms, we probe metabolic and microenvironmental factors, such as tumor extracellular vesicles, stromal cells, and structural remodeling, responsible for facilitating tumor-nerve communication in hopes of identifying potential targets for cancer therapies.
Funding Source: National Institutes of Health (R37CA279722), Arkansas Biosciences Institute, UAMS, U of A
Bioengineering Spinal Cord Injury Testbeds
A fibrotic scar that forms after SCI is a dense, collagenous, and fibrous tissue at the center of the lesion site. Interaction between the fibrotic scar and astrocytes at the SCI site is crucial because it influences the overall healing process and functional recovery. Understanding how the fibrotic scar and astrocytes interact may reveal new insights into the mechanisms that promote or prevent the recovery. In this project, we aim to develop 3D in vitro test beds to investigate the interplay between fibrotic microenvironment and astrocytes.
Funding Source: National Institutes of Health (R15NS121884), U of A
Combinatorial Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to significant and often irreversible sensorimotor deficit below the injury site. Despite extensive research efforts to develop effective therapies, SCI remains incurable due to the complex pathophysiology of the injury. Hence, combinatorial therapy utilizing multiple therapeutic strategies simultaneously to target the various aspects of the injury has gained attention in recent years. Current research focuses on developing and investigating therapeutic potentials of human adipose-derived stem cells embedded nerve mimetic hydrogels for SCI.
Funding Source: PhRMA Foundation, Arkansas Biosciences Institute, U of A
Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Extracellular Vesicles for Nerve Repair
Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) secrete small membrane-bound particles called extracellular vesicles (EVs). These EVs can contain a range of cargo like small RNAs, proteins, and growth factors. Depending on the microenvironment that cells encounter, different signaling pathways are triggered altering the composition of EVs. Through a better understanding of EV biosynthetic pathways and cargos, they can be used in coordination with topological cues to enhance nerve regeneration after injury. Current projects focus on understanding EV cargos in different 3D microenvironments, EV biosynthetic pathways, ASC microenvironment remodeling, and in vitro modeling of nerve regeneration for peripheral nerve repair.
Funding Source: Arkansas Biosciences Institute