Research Foci
The BaMM Lab explores how bone and cartilage function as dynamic materials under pathological conditions. We study how diseases like diabetes, inflammatory arthritis, and hormone imbalance alter the mechanical, biochemical, and regenerative properties of musculoskeletal tissues, and how these changes affect both native healing and biomaterial performance. To do this, we create model systems that replicate pathological environments and use them to analyze failure modes and guide therapeutic design.
Our approach integrates materials engineering, cell biology, and clinical insight. Using polymeric and composite scaffolds created through 3D printing, surface modification, and tailored degradation chemistries, we develop bioadaptable synthetic scaffolds for musculoskeletal repair. We pair advanced materials characterization with molecular analyses to design solutions that are not only responsive to pathology but also capable of restoring function in clinically relevant settings.
How do diseases reshape tissues, and how should biomaterials respond?
We study how chronic Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) alter the material and biological properties of bone and cartilage, disrupting native healing. By combining clinical metrics with in vitro and in vivo modeling, we identify failure signatures in hyperglycemic tissue environments. These insights drive the design of next generation advanced materials to perform as therapeutic modalities in real clinical conditions—enabling implants that succeed where standard solutions often fail.
What should regenerative materials look like in complex biological settings?
Using 3D printing, bioink development, and polymer chemistry, we develop scaffolds engineered to successfully interface with diseased and degenerative tissues. Our designs are informed by clinical metrics and biological interactions in the context of T2DM, IVDD and catabolic inflammatory conditions. These materials are optimized not only for integration and restoration but also for translational relevance, with properties tuned for preclinical models and long-term clinical significance.
How do cells sense and respond to biomaterials in altered physiological states?
We investigate how inflammatory cues, metabolic dysfunction, and hormone-driven shifts affect cellular responses to implanted materials. Through cytokine profiling, gene expression analysis, and disease-specific culture systems, we evaluate regenerative signaling and identify barriers to healing. These studies inform the rational design of cell-instructive materials and help predict clinical outcomes in compromised patient populations.