Scott A. Guelcher

Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Professor of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology

Overview:

My current research is in the design, synthesis, and characterization of polymeric biomaterials for bone tissue engineering. Although autologous bone graft (vital tissue transplanted from one site in the patient to another) has the best capacity to stimulate the healing of tissue defects, explanation both introduces additional surgery pain and also risks donor-site morbidity. One promising alternative to autograft is synthetic biomaterials that are designed to enhance healing through the natural tissue remodeling process. Polyurethanes comprise a class of synthetic polymers that are of fundamental interest to us because their mechanical and biological properties can be tuned to targeted values by controlling the structure. New materials having targeted biological and mechanical properties are being developed for three orthopedic clinical indications:

• Injectable polyurethane scaffolds for drug and gene delivery.
• Polyurethane scaffolds for ex vivo bone and ligament tissue engineering.
• Biodegradable bone/polyurethane composite fracture fixation devices.