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 is currently funded 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:
Tumor Microenvironment Roles in Cancer Progression
Song et al., Matrix Biology 2017
A major arc of our research efforts centers on understanding tumor microenvironment. To this end, we are currently investigating the roles of extracellular vesicles and dysregulated metabolism in cancer aggravation. By utilizing in vitro and in vivo systems, we aim to discover microenvironmental contribution to various aspects of cancer progression, including but not limited to cancer cell migration and metastatic invasion, stromal reprogramming, angiogenesis, and cancer-nerve crosstalk.
Funding Source: National Institutes of Health (P20GM139768 sub5741), Arkansas Biosciences Institute, UAMS, U of A
Bioengineering Spinal Cord Injury Testbeds
Seo et al., PNAS 2020
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating traumatic condition that inflicts the affected individuals with permanent sensorimotor function deficits and socioeconomic burdens. Despite documented evidence of fibrotic scar at the lesion site, little attention has been given to the collagenous fibrotic scar and appropriate treatment strategies to restore the lesion site. To understand molecular, cellular and tissue-level mechanisms of fibrotic scar formation after SCI, we aim to develop biomimetic in vitro test beds to understand the origin and pathological contributors to fibrotic scar at the injured spinal cords.
Funding Source: National Institutes of Health (R15NS121884), U of A
Combinatorial Therapeutics for Nerve Repair
Image credit: Young Hye Song
Interactions between cells and surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) are critical to tissue development, and the same principle can be applied to designing pro-regenerative scaffolds. By exploiting innate cellular ECM remodeling capabilities, we seek to develop constructs with physicochemical features that closely mimic native tissues. Current research focuses on bioengineering combinatorial therapeutics for both peripheral and central nerve injuries.
Funding Source: PhRMA Foundation, U of A