The 27th Annual Robert F. Rushmer Lecture

Functional tissue engineering for regenerative medicine, human stem cell research, and study of disease

Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic
Mikati Foundation Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Medicine
Columbia University

Tissue engineering has made some major strides over the last few decades, largely due to synergistic interactions between the stem cell biology, bioengineering and medical sciences. The impact of tissue engineering goes beyond its traditional application in regenerative medicine, where functional substitutes of native tissues are used to repair our worn-out, diseased or missing organs. Engineered tissues are also enabling us to study the stem cells in a native-like context of development or regeneration, and to build models of disease and drug screening platforms. These areas have enormous potential for improving human life, while the field is still facing some major challenges. This talk will discuss the state of the art and recent advances in the field, using examples that will range from engineering of anatomical tissue grafts, differentiation of human stem cells, to models of cancer and identification of therapeutic targets.

March 22, 2013 4:30-5:30 Foege South Auditorium

More about the Robert F. Rushmer lecture series