Date/Time
Date(s) - 09/09/2010
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Dr. David Puleo, Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery Director & Professor, Center for Biomedical Engineering University of Kentucky, Lexington

Wound healing is a dynamic process involving numerous biomolecules that trigger a sequence of cellular events, including chemotaxis, proliferation, and differentiation.  For example, analysis of growth factor expression in callus during bone fracture healing has revealed a complex sequence of several biomolecules.  Therefore, to achieve desired responses at the cell-biomaterial interface, modulated delivery of one or more bioactive agents is expected to generate the greatest effect.  To this end, we have been developing different polymeric systems to vary the release profiles of osteotropic (bone-active) molecules.  Release periods ranged from days through months, and the molecules delivered ranged from small molecule drugs to plasmid DNA.  Results show that cell functions and tissue responses can be manipulated by modulating the timing of one or more osteotropic biomolecules.  Properly designed controlled release devices have the potential to enhance localized tissue repair.