Repair & Regeneration

Peripheral Nerve Regeneration

Design of ECM and trophic-factor-presenting hydrogels to obviate need for autologous nerve bridges.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Transplant neural stem cells to replace lost neurons using scaffolds that enhance migration and differentiation.

Overview

We work to understand biomechanics of traumatic brain injury and attendant deficits of function. We use realistic tissue engineered models to understand regenerative failure in the CNS. Using cell transplantation, drug and gene delivery, and tissue engineered scaffolds, we functionally augment, repair, or replace damaged neurons or their connections.

Goals

functionally replace cells after traumatic brain injury
regenerate peripheral nerves and spinal cords in mammals
stably interface multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) to CNS

Professors with research in this area:

Bellamkonda, LaPlaca