Peripheral Nervous System Regeneration
We are interested in using biomimetic 3D scaffolds that draw their design inspiration from the principles of contact guidance, haptotaxis or chemotaxis to guide and enhance regeneration across long peripheral nerve gaps (> 25mm). We implement our design criteria using nano- or micro-scale filaments, or trophic factor and ECM protein rich hydrogel scaffolds to enhance peripheral nerve regeneration. Our group has recently demonstrated (2003) that our tissue engineered scaffolds perform as well as autologous nerve grafts in regenerating sciatic nerves across a 10mm gap in vivo. We are currently working on extending this technology for longer nerve gaps, and also in developing a fundamental mechanistic understanding of how scaffolds may enhance regeneration. These projects are funded by NIH (NINDS) R01 NS44409 and the Georgia Tech/Emory Center for the Engineering of Living Tissues.
Sub-Projects
Effect of Schwann Cell Alignment on Nerve Regeneration
- Vivek Mukhatyar
Anisotropic Hydrogels for Enhanced Peripheral Nerve Regeneration
- Mahesh Dodla
Contact Guidance Based Nerve Regeneration
- Young-tae Kim