Tissue development and homeostatic maintenance depend upon dynamic and reciprocal interactions between cells and their local microenvironment. Traumatic injury or pathological disease disrupts these biological networks, leading to either reparative healing through scar formation or tissue degeneration and failure. Our mission is to develop bioactive scaffolds incorporating biochemical, mechanical, and structural properties capable of stimulating regenerative healing and full functional recovery. Our current work focuses on hybrid hydrogels for gene delivery and tissue engineering; capillary channel polymer fibers for neural engineering; vibratory mechanotransduction; and hydrogel sealants.
