Directing Cell Function: Advances in Tissue Engineering

CONTACT: Lia Unrau

PHONE: (713)
831-4793

E-MAIL: unrau@rice.edu
 

Directing Cell Function: Advances In Tissue
Engineering

From tissue-engineered implants to gene therapy,
leading national researchers in the field of tissue engineering will discuss
their latest work at the “Advances in Tissue Engineering” short course at Rice
University Aug. 11-15.

Rice’s fifth annual course is a forum for researchers to learn about the
newest developments and challenges in the science and technology of replacing
damaged or diseased body parts and restoring function.

The five-day course is directed by Antonios Mikos, professor of
bioengineering and chemcial engineering at Rice. Mikos will discuss polymer
scaffolds for bone growth on Aug. 13.

Advances in bone, cartilage, peripheral nerve regeneration, liver assist
devices, and cardiovascular developments, as well as how to direct cell
development and function are some of the topics to be discussed by engineers,
biologists and doctors from Rice University, the Texas Medical Center, the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration, industry and other research institutions.

For example, on Aug. 11, the morning sessions will include the following:

• Arnold Caplan, professor and director of the Skeletal Research Center at
  Case Western Reserve University, will discuss his research on “The Use of
  Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Tissue Engineering,” in which Caplan will discuss
  engineering basic cells into differentiated cells that will perform specific
  functions. Caplan sees many potential applications, including fortifying bone
  tissue against osteoporosis.

• Michael Miller, associate professor of reconstructive and plastic surgery at
  the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, will present “Clinical
  Experiences with Plastic Surgery” and address needs and challenges for materials
  in surgery.

• Michael Barry, assistant professor, Shell Center for Gene Therapy at Baylor
  College of Medicine, will present “Gene Delivery Methodologies” and his
  “bombardment” techniques for inserting DNA into cells.

The course is endorsed by the Biomedical Engineering Society, the Society for
Biomaterials, and the Houston Society for Engineering in Medicine and Biology.
It is co-sponsored by Rice’s Institute of Biosciences and Bioengineering and the
Rice University School of Continuing Studies.

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