Luo Laboratory
Biofunctional Materials and Regenerative Technologies
General goal and key principles
We design new biomaterials by uncovering the basic interactive mechanisms between materials and cells. This entails the creation of materials with controllable and characterized structures and properties, so that the cell behavior and responses can be analyzed through defined microenvironment. On the other hand, we need to understand the important biological processes involved in tissue injury, repair and regeneration. The knowledge in these two aspects provides basis for how and why materials need to be designed to control cellular and molecular events in vivo. The study can lead to functional materials for important applications in developing treatments for disease.
Reparative modulation of cellular responses
Materials can elicit cellular responses through various surface, topographical, mechanical and degradation properties. When cells are in contact with materials in vitro or in vivo, they may be profoundly affected to alter their function or phenotypes. Our study focuses on how basic material features such surface ligands and topography could change the secretory products of cells and how such function can be used to modulate the signaling network of the cell niche to enhance the reparative response of tissue. The interactions of materials with macrophages and mesenchymal stem cells are investigated for developing new strategies for designing multifunctional materials.
Delivery systems for RNA-based therapeutics
In many situations, the lack of safe and efficient delivery systems has hampered the clinical development of promising pharmacological substances. We are interested in creating biocompatible nano-systems using bioactive conjugates to deliver small RNA molecules. The biocompatibility, targeting capability and delivery efficiency are investigated to send small RNAs for expression manipulation of cells with specificity via RNAi mechanisms to promote angiogensis and repair of infarcted tissue.
Biomaterial-stem cell combinatorial devices
Stem cells hold great promise to provide the regenerative solution to tissue repair. Although much hope has been given to this therapeutic strategy, questions remain to be answered regarding how to fulfill the potentials of stem cells in vivo. To this end, we are developing methodologies and devices capable of facilitating the transplantation of stem cells. One current focus is using biomaterials to assemble cells with microscale spatial control to promote the paracrine functions and vessel tissue morphogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells.