*Friday, November 14, 2008*

11:30 a.m., Room1400 Biomedical and Physical Sciences Building

Refreshments served at 11:15 a.m.



*Lonnie Shea, Associate Professor*

Department of Chemical Engineering

Northwestern University, Evanston, IL  60208-3120



*Gene-releasing Scaffolds for Regenerative Medicine*

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Abstract: Tissue development and regeneration are complex processes that
result from a dynamic interplay between the cells and their
microenvironment. The microenvironment contains signals, broadly
categorized as immobilized (e.g., extracellular matrix) or diffusible
(e.g., growth factors), which orchestrate progenitor cell formation into
functional tissues. We combine biomaterials, gene therapy, and drug
delivery to control the cellular microenvironment for tissue-specific
progenitor cells that are either transplanted (e.g., islets) or within
the local tissue (e.g., neurons). A versatile approach for controlling
the microenviroment involves the localized delivery of gene therapy
vectors from tissue engineering scaffolds. These biomaterial scaffolds
provide opportunities to enhance or control gene transfer relative to
more traditional delivery methods (e.g., injection), and we have
identified several design parameters that correlate scaffold and vector
properties to the gene transfer. The design of these scaffolds and their
application will be discussed. Scaffolds that control the presentation
of signals within the cellular microenvironment provide a powerful tool
to molecularly dissect tissue formation, and to promote functional
tissue regeneration.



For further information please contact Prof. Christina Chan, Department
of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at [log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>

/Department seminar announcements are posted at //http://www.chems.msu.edu//

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/Persons with disabilities have the right to request and receive
reasonable accommodation. Please call the Department of Chemical
Engineering and Materials Science at 355-5135 at least one day prior to
the seminar; requests received after this date will be met when possible./