Our lab aims to bridge the gap between biomedical discoveries in the lab and clinical application with an emphasis on cardiovascular application. We emphasize translation of our work. From idea origination throughout design, we keep clinical translation in mind. We aim to re-establish function in disease or damaged organs and tissues by utilizing the principles of tissue mechanics and by replicating native tissue structure through recreating developmental cues in the lab.
Self-organized Engineered Human Blood Vessels
We create blood vessels in the lab from human cells using a unique approach. We start by establishing conditions in a petri dish that allows a cell monolayer to form and detach automatically from the substrate to then aggregate around a centrally-placed polymer post. The structure that forms is a ring. The rings are then stacked into a tubular structure, hence resulting in the final engineered vessel. These vessels are being used to explore its efficacy as a vascular graft, disease model and for drug testing.
Relevant publications:
We create blood vessels in the lab from human cells using a unique approach. We start by establishing conditions in a petri dish that allows a cell monolayer to form and detach automatically from the substrate to then aggregate around a centrally-placed polymer post. The structure that forms is a ring. The rings are then stacked into a tubular structure, hence resulting in the final engineered vessel. These vessels are being used to explore its efficacy as a vascular graft, disease model and for drug testing.
Relevant publications:
- Patel B, Xu Z, Pinnock CB, Kabbani LS, Lam MT. Self-assembled Collagen-Fibrin Hydrogel Reinforces Tissue Engineered Adventitia Vessels Seeded with Human Fibroblasts. Sci Rep. 2018 Feb 19;8(1):3294.
- Pinnock CB, Xu Z, Lam MT. Scaling of Engineered Vascular Grafts using 3D Printed Guides and the Ring Stacking Method. J Vis Exp. (Invited). 2017 Mar 27;(121).
- Pinnock CB, Meier EM, Joshi NN, Wu B, Lam MT. Customizable engineered blood vessels using 3D printed inserts. Methods 2015 pii: S1046-2023(15)30184-5.
Stem Cell Translation
Stem cell treatments available are few, especially compared to the amount of active stem cell research being conducted. Our goal is to utilize stem cells to their maximum potential. Our lab focuses on making use of tissues normally discarded following cosmetic procedures and extracting the adult stem cells from these tissues. These stem cells are being applied to our tissue engineering methods.
Relevant publications:
Stem cell treatments available are few, especially compared to the amount of active stem cell research being conducted. Our goal is to utilize stem cells to their maximum potential. Our lab focuses on making use of tissues normally discarded following cosmetic procedures and extracting the adult stem cells from these tissues. These stem cells are being applied to our tissue engineering methods.
Relevant publications:
- Lam MT. Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapies for Skin Repair and Regeneration. Journal of Dermatology & Cosmetology. J Dermat Cosmetol. 2017, 1(3): 00014.
- Wang L, Meier E, Tian S, Lei I, Liu L, Xian S, Lam MT, Wang Z. Transplantation of Isl1+ cardiac progenitor cells in small intestinal submucosa improves infarcted heart function. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2017 Oct 16;8(1):230.
- Lam MT, Nauta AC, Meyer NP, Wu JC, Longaker MT. Effective delivery of stem cells using an extracellular matrix patch results in increased cell survival and proliferation and reduced scarring in skin wound healing. Tissue Eng Part A. 2013;19(5-6):1-10.
- Lam MT, Wu JC. Biomaterials Applications in Cardiovascular Tissue Repair and Regeneration. Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy. 2012;10(8):1039-49.
- Lam MT, Longaker MT. Comparison of several attachment methods for human iPS, embryonic and adipose-derived stem cells for tissue engineering. J Tissue Eng Regen Med. 2012;6 Suppl 3:s80-6.
Mechanical Cues for Tissue Engineering
While chemical cues such as growth factors are commonly studied, mechanical cues important for proper development in many natural tissues is often overlooked. Our lab studies the effect of mechanical cues applied in vitro to stem cells for differentiation and engineered tissues in order to maximize functional potential.
Relevant publications:
While chemical cues such as growth factors are commonly studied, mechanical cues important for proper development in many natural tissues is often overlooked. Our lab studies the effect of mechanical cues applied in vitro to stem cells for differentiation and engineered tissues in order to maximize functional potential.
Relevant publications:
- Meier EM and Lam MT. Role of mechanical stimulation in stem cell differentiation. JSM Biotechnol Bioeng. 2016, 3(3): 1060.
- Meier EM, Wu B, Siddiqui A, Tepper DG, Longaker MT, Lam MT. Mechanical Stimulation Increases RNA-level Expression of Knee Meniscus Genes in Adipose-derived Stromal Cells. Plast Reconstr Surg GO. 2016 16;4(9):e864.
- Lam MT, Huang YC, Birla RK, Takayama S. Microfeature guided skeletal muscle tissue engineering for highly organized 3-dimensional free-standing constructs. Biomaterials. 2009;30(6):1150-5.
- Lam MT, Clem WC, Takayama S. Reversible on-demand cell alignment using reconfigurable microtopography. Biomaterials. 2008;29(11):1705-12.
- Lam MT, Sim S, Zhu X, Takayama S. The effect of continuous wavy micropatterns on silicone substrates on the alignment of skeletal muscle myoblasts and myotubes. Biomaterials. 2006;27(24):4340-7.
