DIRECTOR: DR. EVANGELIA BELLAS

We study how adipocytes, the main cell type found in adipose tissue (fat), interact with their microenvironment to learn how fat functions under normal and disease conditions. This is done through three-dimensional tissue engineered models to examine how interactions with the extracellular matrix influence adipocyte behavior and conversely, how adipocytes remodel their microenvironment in response to various cues. We also explore microfluidic, fat-on-chip systems to examine how the vasculature impacts adipose tissue function. We apply this understanding of adipose tissue to study two main areas: (1) metabolic diseases, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes and (2) soft tissue regeneration and reconstruction for filling of soft tissue defects caused by trauma, tumor resections or congenital defects. Visit the BellasFATlab website.

Director: Dr. Peter Lelkes

Researchers work together in an open lab setting that includes brand new cell culture rooms, a series of new microscopes for biological and materials confocal imaging, instruments for materials testing and equipment for creating a variety of three dimensional scaffolds. Visit the iCterm website.

Director: Dr. Michel Lemay

The Lemay research group focuses on understanding the functioning and contribution of the spinal circuitry to the control of locomotion, and how this circuitry can be re-engaged for rehabilitation purposes following injury. A number of tools are used to activate and probe the spinal circuitry, techniques ranging from cellular delivery of neurotrophic factors to electrical stimulation of the spinal cord or its afferent feedback to locomotor re-training and multiunit recording of interneuronal activity during locomotion.

Director: Dr. Bojana Gligorijevic

Cancer Microscopy & Mechanobiology Lab investigates mechanisms of tumor cell metastasis by combining approaches from mechanobiology, microfluidics and tissue engineering. We implement established and develop new real-time microscopy technologies at multiple scales (molecular, cellular, tissue, organismal). In addition, we collaborate with mathematical modelers (Tuzel lab, Bioengineering Department) and clinicians (Fox Chase Cancer Center) to push both quantitative and translational aspects of our work. We strive towards predicting tumor cell decisions, which are a dynamical, ever-changing outcome of mechanical and chemical signals from cell-based and extracellular sources. While we are excited about engineering new technologies and highly curious about mechanistic understanding of metastasis, our overarching goal is to translate our findings into predictive diagnostics and point to novel therapeutic targets to prevent metastasis.

Director: Dr. Andrew Spence

Gaining an understanding of how neural and musculoskeletal systems work together to control movement, with the long-term aim of improving the quality of life of those with neuromuscular disease or injury is the primary focus of the Spence group. We engineer new technologies for sensing and perturbing intact of freely moving animals in order to improve our ability to dissect the neuromechanical systems underlying movement. Two current areas of interest are on the role of constraints (stability, energetics) in shaping quadrupedal gait control and in applying new neurogenetic techniques to dissect the control of fast legged locomotion, and to ultimately better treat spinal cord injuries. For the latter, we are exploring the possibility that viral gene therapeutic methods that deliver chemogenetic tools (DREADDs) can stimulate afferent neurons to improve recovery from spinal cord injury. Visit the Spence Lab.

Director: Dr. Nancy Pleshko

The Pleshko lab (Tissue Imaging and Spectroscopy Lab) focuses on biospectroscopy, developing and applying advanced optical and vibrational spectroscopic technologies to address challenges in biomedical research and clinical diagnostics. We investigate the molecular, cellular, and structural properties of biological tissues to better understand tissue development, extracellular matrix composition, disease processes, and responses to therapeutic interventions, with particular emphasis on bone and cartilage.

Please  visit the lab  for more information.

Director: Dr. Karin Wang

The Wang Lab leverages interdisciplinary approaches in order to engineer reductionist model systems that probe mechanobiological drivers of signal transduction to enhance our fundamental understanding of structure-function relationships regulating cell-matrix interactions in health and disease. Visit the Wang Lab site for more information.