Our Current Projects
Use of Subcutaneous Silk Scaffolds to Modulate the Interface Between Skin and Percutaneous Osseointegrated Prostheses for Traumatic Limb Amputations
This work aims to improve the interface between skin and the prosthetics directly attached to the amputee’s bone stump using silk scaffold to provide the patients with increased mobility and function, while reducing potential infection at the interface site and loosening of the implant from the bone stump. The proposed work addresses the following focus area: Skin-Implant Interface, Identification of best practices to address infection at the skin-implant interface for osseointegrated prosthetic limbs.
In collaboration with: Nazarian, Ara (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston)
Funded by: CDMRP
Proposal Number: OR190015
Award Number: W81XWH-20-1-0841
Funding Mechanism: Applied Research Award
In vitro 3D Human Gingival Tissue Model to Study Oral Microbiome
The oral cavity contains different microenvironments, i.e. the non-shedding surface of the teeth and the epithelial mucosa, where oral barriers and microbial communities coexist. The interactions and balances between these two communities are responsible for oral tissue homeostasis or dysbiosis, that ultimately dictate health or disease. Disruption of this equilibrium is the first necessary step towards chronic inflammation and permanent tissue damage in the case of chronic periodontitis. Current experimental animal and in vitro models do not fully resemble the human condition. We are proposing to design a physiological culture system based on artificial saliva in order to support long-term culture after inoculation with oral microbiota derived from healthy patients. We will replicate the stability of the ecosystem and evaluate the contribution of host saliva to buffer and provide nutrition to the oral community, as well as physiological shear stress that contributes to the maturation and maintenance of a healthy epithelium. The efforts will elucidate the initial interactions and balances between these two communities that are responsible for the oral tissue homeostasis or dysbiosis, that ultimately dictates healthy or diseased tissue states.
Funded by NIDCR
R03 DE030224
R03 DE030224-S1 (Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research)
R03 DE030224-S2 (Administrative Supplements to Recognize Excellence in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Mentorship)
Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx)
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx®) initiative to speed innovation in the development, commercialization, and implementation of technologies for COVID-19 testing. Accurate, fast, easy-to-use, and widely accessible testing is required before the nation can safely return to normal life.The RADx initiative was a national call for scientists and organizations to bring their innovative ideas for new COVID-19 testing approaches and strategies. Funded projects include new applications of existing technologies that make tests easier to use, easier to access, and more accurate. We supported the national interest efforts with a Technology Validation Core at UML.
In collaboration with: Dave McManus (UMass Chan Medical School), Mary Ann Picard (M2D2), Bryan Buchholz (UML)
Funded by: NIH - NHLBI U54HL143541
Awards
