Exploring the role of extracellular matrix in muscle healing and brain injury

The major theme of our research group is the exploration of extracellular matrix (ECM). During this talk I will present our group’s recent research efforts, which are directed towards understanding how ECM can be used as material to promote muscle healing and how the production of ECM by cells of the brain is influenced by the mechanical forces that occur during head injury.

Muscle: Skeletal muscle has a robust capacity for repair in response to mild trauma. However, when significant muscle volume is lost regeneration is poor. Termed volumetric muscle loss, the bulk loss (>20%) of muscle tissue overwhelms the capacity for repair, leading to the formation of scar tissue. Our group is exploring regeneration of lost skeletal muscle using ECM implants. The application and examination of ECM biomaterials in a rat model will be presented.

Brain: Astrocytes are ubiquitous cells throughout brain tissue that play an essential role in neuronal survival. Yet, the mechanobiology of astrocytes and in particular how their neuro-supportive role is affected by the mechanical stimuli that are generated during traumatic brain injury (TBI) is not well understood. To explore astrocyte mechanobiology our group is utilizing a novel “cellular crash test” bioreactor and cell culture system to apply TBI mimetic loads to astrocyte cells in-vitro. Our recent findings, which elucidate the mechano-sensitive role of astrocytes in the production of ECM, will be presented.