Research Summary:
Our research program is directed at understanding how cells interact with biomaterials and how to appropriately modulate the cell-biomaterial interactions for developing novel biomaterial based therapies. Our ultimate goal is to restore, maintain or improve tissue and/organ functions by modulating the host tissue microenvironment using biologically active biomaterials. Current studies focus on the design and development of regenerative biomaterials to favorably modulate the responses of a variety of cell types involved in tissue regeneration and repair. Formulating biologically active biomaterial requires a thorough understanding of the cellular responses to these materials in vitro and in vivo. Additional studies focus on the identification of sensitive markers as indices of cell-substrate interactions to gain insights into the molecular basis of cell-biomaterial interactions. Our ability to modulate the unfriendly milieu at the wound site by attenuating inflammation, controlling cellular immune responses and signal transduction pathways will significantly enhance the regenerative process in adult tissue. The objective is to identify unique biologically active molecules and develop biomaterial constructs as artificial tissue microenvironment that can favorably modulate cell responses to promote tissue regeneration and/ repair. Specific work includes rational design and/ identification of biologically active molecules that can favorably interact with cells involved in healing via multiple signaling pathways, design and development of biomaterial constructs for tissue engineering and on evaluating the biological activity of the three dimensional bio-molecular constructs using in vitro and in vivo models. More information about current projects can be found at: http://facultydirectory.uchc.edu/profile?profileId=1597 Selected Publications:
- Evaluation of rhBMP-2 and bone marrow derived stromal cell mediated bone regeneration using transgenic fluorescent protein reporter mice. Gohil, Shalini V; Adams, Douglas J; Maye, Peter; Rowe, David W; Nair, Lakshmi S Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A 2014 Dec;102(12):4568-80
- Statins as bioactive molecules to support bone regeneration. Brittain, Sarah B; Gohil, Shalini V; Nair, Lakshmi S Current medicinal chemistry 2014 Jun;21(25):2980-8
- Post-transcriptional regulation in osteoblasts using localized delivery of miR-29a inhibitor from nanofibers to enhance extracellular matrix deposition. James, Eric N; Delany, Anne M; Nair, Lakshmi S Acta biomaterialia 2014 May;10(8):3571-80
- Enzymatically cross-linked bovine lactoferrin as injectable hydrogel for cell delivery. Amini, Ashley A; Kan, Ho-Man; Cui, Zhanwu; Maye, Peter; Nair, Lakshmi S Tissue engineering. Part A 2014 May;20(21-22):2830-9
- Facile fabrication of polyanhydride/anesthetic nanoparticles with tunable release kinetics. Ulery, Bret D; Kan, Ho-Man; Williams, Bryce A; Narasimhan, Balaji; Lo, Kevin W-H; Nair, Lakshmi S; Laurencin, Cato T Advanced healthcare materials 2013 Dec;3(6):843-7