Mechanobiology & Matrix Engineering Laboratory

RESEARCH INTERESTS
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

















 































Developing the next generation of regenerative medicine-based therapies requires a critical understanding that encompasses biology, materials science, physiology, medicine, and engineering. Therefore, my research interest lies in: ​
 
Aim 1: Development of Novel Stem Cell-Based Therapeutics for Tissue Regeneration – We aim to: (1) develop an efficient strategy for the lineage-specific in vitro commitment of patient-specific pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into various musculoskeletal cells, including teno-/osteo-/chondro-/adipo-/myogenic progenitors, and insulin-secreting beta cells by integrating insoluble, matrix-based cues along with soluble cues; (2) evaluate their tissue regeneration efficacy through biomimetic material-assisted in vivo transplantation; and (3) understand cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions using traction force microscopy with FRET biosensors.
 
Aim 2: Development and Design of Cutting-Edge Biomaterials for Recapitulating the Stem Cell Niche and Disease Microenvironments – This includes degenerative diseases (pterygium, podocyte dysfunction, keloid skin disorder, and osteoarthritis) and head & neck/prostate cancers, focusing on mechanotransduction. We aim to: (1) design and fabricate novel hydrogel-based 3D scaffolds with biomimetic and hierarchical structures for stem cell fate commitment, novel co-culture systems, and tumor microenvironment (TME) using 3D printing, 3D melt-electrospinning/spraying, microfabrication techniques; (2) develop functional in vitro disease model platforms as organ-on-a-chip models; and (3) explore cell surface engineering to modulate cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions for various cellular functions and their subsequent contribution to in vivo tissue repair.