Overview
My research interests focus upon the effect of physical forces on the function of vascular cells and skeletal muscle, cell adhesion, and the design of engineered tissues. Current research projects examine the effect of endothelial cell senescence upon permeability to macromolecules and the response to fluid shear stress, the development of microphysiological blood vessels and muscles for evaluation of drug toxicity and the design of engineered endothelialized blood vessels and skeletal muscle bundles.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
R. Eugene and Susie E. Goodson Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering
·
2011 - Present
Biomedical Engineering,
Pratt School of Engineering
Professor of Biomedical Engineering
·
2000 - Present
Biomedical Engineering,
Pratt School of Engineering
Affiliate of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society
·
2014 - Present
Duke Science & Society,
University Initiatives & Academic Support Units
Affiliate of the Duke Regeneration Center
·
2021 - Present
Duke Regeneration Center,
Basic Science Departments
Recent Publications
Differential response of tissue engineered skeletal muscle from rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy controls.
Journal Article Commun Biol · April 9, 2025 Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting articular joints and skeletal muscle. To assess the role of cytokines upon muscle strength in RA, we developed an in vitro tissue-engineered human skeletal muscle model (myobundle). Myob ... Full text Link to item CiteAdenine base editing rescues pathogenic phenotypes in tissue engineered vascular model of Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome.
Journal Article APL bioengineering · March 2025 The rare, accelerated aging disease Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) is commonly caused by a de novo c.1824 C > T point mutation of the LMNA gene that results in the protein progerin. The primary cause of death is a heart attack or ... Full text CiteAngiopoietin-2 reverses endothelial cell dysfunction in progeria vasculature.
Journal Article Aging cell · February 2025 Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare premature aging disorder in children caused by a point mutation in the lamin A gene, resulting in a toxic form of lamin A called progerin. Accelerated atherosclerosis leading to heart attack and stroke ... Full text CiteRecent Grants
Engineering Heterocellular Human Skeletal Muscle Tissues to Recreate and Study Native Stem Cell Niche Function
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029Translational Center for Barrier Microphysiological Systems
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by University of Rochester · 2024 - 2028Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (StARR) - NHLBI
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPreceptor · Awarded by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2018 - 2028View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Massachusetts Institute of Technology ·
1985
Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania ·
1979
B.S.E.