BIOGRAPHY

Characterization of Growth and Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Bone Marrow Stromal Cells on Precisely Defined Surface Microtopographies [BPN643]
A novel approach to enhance bone regeneration provided by transplantation of bone marrow
derived cells involves rapid concentration and selection of the osteoblastic progenitor population
in the graft using selective attachment to the matrix surface. MEMS (microelectromechanical systems)
technology and related microfabrication techniques can be used to create precisely defined surface
microscale topographies that can selectively stimulate cells on the surface of scaffolds to enhance
osteoprogenitor cell growth and subsequent bone formation.
The goal of this project is to investigate the influence of precise defined surface topographies on
osteogenesis in vitro and in vivo by examining the proliferation and differentiation characteristics
of a class of adult stem cells and their progeny, collectively known as bone marrow stromal cells
(BMSC). BMSCs, discovered by Dr. Darwin Prockop of the Texas A&M College of Medicine Institute for
Regenerative Medicine, retain the potential to differentiate into multiple tissue types and have
been found to play a major role in ameliorating tissue inflammation and injury.