Scientific Report 2003-2004 - Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research ...

The Department of Biomedical EngineeringContinued from Page 16molecular biology, cell biology, and mouse geneticengineering approaches to study the roles of Soxtranscription factors during development and inpathologies of the skeleton and hematopoieticsystem. Her group is determining how these Soxfactors control cell fate and differentiation inspecific cell lineages and how they act on targetgenes and interact with other factors to enhance orrepress transcription. Cahir A. McDevitt, Ph.D.,studies tissue and animal models to explore woundhealing in the knee joint meniscus, especially therelationships of networks of varying collagen typesand cell forms that are quiescent until wounding,whereupon mRNA levels for type I and type VIcollagen and other matrix proteins dramaticallyincrease, with the wound crevice becomingpopulated by cells that appear to come from thesuperficial zone and that can migrate into acellularareas created by apoptosis of resident cells. RonaldJ. Midura, Ph.D., pursues studies of bone remodeling,involving bone-matrix production and/ormineralization as regulated by cytokines/hormonesin normal/pathologic states. He concentrates onthe role of parathyroidhormone (PTH) in (a)maintaining Ca 2+ levels inblood by reabsorbing it fromkidney and releasing it frombone and (b) exertingsomatotrophic effects onbone formation when usedtherapeutically. His group hasfound that PTH dramaticallyaffects an osteoblast’s abilityto produce select matrixmacromolecules, alters theirassembly into an extracellular matrix, and regulatesmatrix mineralization. George F. Muschler, M.D.,is developing more effective, less invasive methodsto treat fractures/deformities, using techniques ofcell and molecular biology, growth factor expressionand action, cell matrix interaction, imageprocessing, and biomechanics. His group has (a)devised minimally invasive methods to harvest andrapidly collect bone stem cells, (b) achieved boneregeneration with fully implantable devices that usethe process of distraction osteogenesis toregenerate bone segments and lengthen limbswithout cumbersome and painful frames, (c) avoidharvesting bone from one site and transplanting itto another by exploring synthetic materials (calciumphosphate ceramics, purified collagen preparations,and some polymers) in combination with growthfactors; and (d) developed a segmental caninemodel for efficient, sensitive evaluation ofcomposite graft materials for spinal fusion.Investigators from Biomechanics (Drs. Cavanagh,Davis, van den Bogert), Neural Control (Dr. Yue)and Imaging (Dr. Powell) are also active participantsin this group.Tissue Engineering and Wound Healingis an area of research in which BME departmentmembers from Orthopaedic Biology (Drs. Derwin,McDevitt, Midura, and Muschler) and CardiovascularBiomechanics (Dr. Vesely) are also active.Edward V. Maytin, M.D., Ph.D., pursues studies inhealing of skin wounds. He studies CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Proteins via an artificial skinmodel in which keratinocytes grow on a collagenraft floating at the air-liquid interface to simulate invivo conditions that promote epidermal stratificationand differentiation-related gene expression. Hisgoals are to study epidermal homeostasis, mechanismsof ultraviolet light damage to skin, extracellularhyaluronan’s role in regulating epidermal cells,and photodynamic therapy for skin cancer and otherhyperproliferative diseases.BME’s depth and breadth of expertise aregreatly enhanced by contributions from staffmembers from other departments who have jointappointments. Among the departments (andindividuals) represented are Cardiovascular Medicine(James Thomas, M.D.), the Center for AnesthesiologyResearch (Paul Murray, Ph.D.),the Cole Eye Institute (DavidHuang, M.D., Ph.D.), Nephrologyand Hypertension/Dialysis (Emil P.Paganini, M.D.), OrthopaedicSurgery (Joseph Iannotti, M.D.,Ph.D., Ulf Knothe, M.D., Dr. Med.,Robert F. McLain, Ph.D), Pediatric/Congenital Heart Surgery (Brian W.Duncan, M.D.), Radiation Oncology(Urs Hafeli, Ph.D., MartinWeinhous, M.D.), Radiology(William Davros, Ph.D., Sandra S.Halliburton, Ph.D., Jean A. Tkach, Ph.D.), Thoracicand Cardiovascular Surgery (Patrick McCarthy,M.D.), Vascular Surgery (Roy Greenberg, M.D.), andPhysical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Stephen I.Reger, Ph.D.). In addition to these individuals, 14scientists from other institutions have adjunctappointments in BME.The Department of Biomedical Engineeringis committed to investigation, innovation, andthe translation of scientific discoveries intopractical applications that enhance patient care.By providing a forum in which engineers, basicscientists and physicians can interact, thedepartment plays a key role in the LernerResearch Institute and in the Foundation as awhole, advancing the mission to promoteexcellence in research, education, and patientcare.Centeral image: Proliferation ofHuman CTPs and Expressionof Alkaline Phosphatase onLoaded Coralline HA disks, day9 culture. From the laboratory ofGeorge F. Muschler, M.D., theSection of Orthopaedic Biologyand Bioengineering.17