Our laboratory engineers bio-functional micro- and nano-structured scaffolds to understand and direct cellular behavior. We use combinatorial approaches involving substrate topography/compliance and biochemical cues to mediate tissue regeneration and host-implant integration. 

Our works range from fundamental science to scaffold, drug/gene delivery technology development; and translational research. Currently, we focus on scaffold-mediated gene-silencing approaches to understand and direct neural tissue regeneration, stem cell differentiation and host-implant integration. 

Our main objective is to provide improved platforms for better understanding and control over cell fate for regenerative medicine.

Lab Updates

• Feb 2017: 'Three-dimensional aligned nanofibers-hydrogel scaffold for controlled non-viral drug/gene delivery to direct axon regeneration in spinal cord injury treatment', published in Scientific Reports.

• Feb 2017: Postdoc position available. We are looking for experts in non-viral gene & protein delivery. Interested applicants please contact us.

• ​Feb 2017: Research Associate position available. We are looking for assistance in in vivo implantation & neural rehabilitation. Interested applicants, please contact us. 

• Jul 2016: Media coverage of our works on spinal cord injury treatment: Phys.Org; Health News Digest; Canada Free Press.
  

• Jul 2016: 'Three-dimensional nanofiber hybrid scaffold directs and enhances axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury', published in ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering.

• Jan 2016: 'Highly Fluorescent and Photostable Polymeric Nanofibers as Scaffolds for Cell Interfacing and Long-Term Tracking', published in Advanced Healthcare Materials​.

• Nov 2015: 'Protrusive waves guide 3D cell migration along nanofibers' published in The Journal of Cell Biology.

• Aug 2015: 'Topographical effects on fiber-mediated microRNA delivery to control oligodendroglial precursor cells development' published in Biomaterials.

• July 2015: Check out our new theme issue, 'MicroRNAs in Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine' published in Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews.

• Jun 2015: 'Mussel-inspired modification of nanofibers for REST siRNA delivery: Understanding the effects of gene-silencing and substrate topography on human mesenchymal stem cell neuronal commitment' published in Macromolecular Bioscience.

• May 2015: 'microRNAs and their potential therapeutic applications in neural tissue engineering' published in Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews.