TISSUE MIMETICS & REGENERATIVE ENGINEERING LAB

Our lab is leading a collective effort toward building artificial tissue and matrix mimics to emulate the key structural and functional aspects of human physiological systems for tissue repair and regeneration. By integrating fundamental principles from materials, mechanics, chemistry, and biotechnology, our lab innovates in creating more realistic, close-to-native miniaturized tissues that have immediate relevance in healthcare. A major focus of our research group is on developing injectable light-responsive therapeutics for spine and joint health. We also develop electric stimulation systems to steer the regenerative potential of stem cells towards electroactive cells like neurons and cardiomyocytes.   In addition, we build tissue-on-chip platforms to decipher the mechanistic basis (including physical and matrix cues) of disease initiation and progression for drug development and screening. It is envisaged that these insights could subsequently advance strategies that may ultimately aid in reversing or treating degenerative diseases.