Advances in Tissue Engineering: Leaders to Present Work

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– August 13, 1998Posted in: News Releases

Media Advisory

CONTACT: Lia Unrau

PHONE: (713)
831-4793

E-MAIL: unrau@rice.edu

ADVANCES IN TISSUE ENGINEERING: LEADERS TO PRESENT
WORK

From hybrid artificial organs to
surgical approaches, 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. 17-21.

The meeting is the sixth annual short course offered to
researchers and clinicians in tissue engineering by Rice’s School of Continuing
Studies. It 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.

Advances in engineering bone and cartilage, peripheral nerve
regeneration, uses in surgery, hybrid artificial organs 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.

Following are a few highlights of the program.



  • On Aug. 17, Joseph Vacanti, director of organ
    transplantation at Boston’s Children’s Hospital and professor of surgery at
    Harvard Medical School, will discuss “The Impact of Tissue Engineering on
    Surgery.”

  • Kiki Hellman, senior scientist and coordinator for
    biotechnology at the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Devices and
    Radiological Health, will also speak Aug. 17 and will discuss “Regulatory
    Considerations for Tissue Engineered Products.”

  • On Aug. 18, Arnold Caplan, professor and director of
    the Skeletal Research Center at Case Western Reserve University, will address “The Use of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Tissue Engineered Regenerates of Skeletal
    Tissues.”

  • Peter Johnson, president of Pittsburgh Tissue
    Engineering Initiative Inc., will speak Aug. 19 about “Challenges and
    Opportunities for Tissue Engineering.”

  • Antonios Mikos, associate professor of bioengineering
    and chemical engineering at Rice will discuss polymer scaffolds for bone growth
    on Aug. 20. Mikos is director of the five-day course.

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