Research Projects
The Vascular Kinetics laboratory investigates interaction of vascular cells with their extracellular protein environment. Each project applies biochemistry and biomechanics to advance our knowledge and promote development of new therapies for vascular disease.

	Endothelial cell shear stress response in diabetes Endothelial cells adapt to blood flow in their mechanical environment. People with diabetes develop accelerated atherosclerosis, and we hypothesize that interaction between biochemistry and biomechanics contributes to diabetic vascular disease. This research is conducted by graduate student Steve Kemeny and is supported by NSF.
	Endothelial cell strain remodeling of ECM Endothelial cells remodel both their shape and the extracellular matrix in response to vessel strain. We built a linear uniaxial cell stretching device, which we use to measure endothelial cell and extracellular matrix remodeling following physiologic strain. This research is conducted by graduate student Dannielle Figueroa and is supported by an NSF IGERT fellowship.
	Cell - basement membrane interaction Endothelial cells reside on a protein mesh called the basement membrane. The basement membrane provides biochemical and structural support by storing and releasing cytokines and growth factors critical to cell function. We are investigating how altered basement membrane growth factor kinetics contribute to disease. This research is conducted by graduate student Karl Reisig and is supported by the NSF.
	Endothelial cell - smooth muscle cell interaction Diabetics experience higher rates of restenosis (re-closing of a blood vessel) after the vessel has been opened by stent expansion. In restenosis, smooth muscle cells grow rapidly into the blood vessel. We use a co-culture model to study how altered endothelial cell – smooth muscle cell interaction and growth factor storage in the diabetic vascular wall play a role in this devastating disease. This research is conducted by graduate student Karl Reisig,
	Plasma angiogenesis Diabetics suffer from slow wound healing, which can lead to large ulcerative wounds and eventually limb amputation. The Drexel Plasma Institute has shown that nitric oxide from plasma treatment can improve diabetic wound healing. Our research applies plasma to understand nitric oxide formation and subsequent angiogenesis. This research is conducted by graduate student Krishna Priya Arjunan.
	Biomimetic materials for drug delivery Our laboratory studies natural biomaterials such as basement membrane to facilitate development of new tissue engineering scaffolds. We are designing and manufacturing scaffolds that closely mimic natural biokinetics. We will use these scaffolds as biochemically and biomechanically active materials for tissue engineering, tissue repair, and drug delivery
	Microfluidics, mechanics, and permeability Endothelial cells are exposed to both mechanical and biochemical stimuli. We are developing a rapid throughput microfluidic system to apply multiple stimuli simultaneously. The system will be used to investigate joint effects of flow and growth factors or cytokines. This project was completed by a Drexel University senior design team.
	Nanoparticles for tissue engineering Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are being developed for a wide variety of biomedical applications, from drug delivery to MRI imaging. We are using these nanoparticles in tissue engineering and drug delivery applications. This research is conducted by graduate students Kivilcim Buyukhatipoglu and Wonjin Jo.
	Dielectrophoretic cell mechanics device Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is the force induced on a neutral particle in a non-uniform electric field. DEP has been used to trap and pattern cells, but not to measure single attached cell mechanics. We developed a DEP device to trap a cell, allow it to attach to the surface, and then push on the cell to determine its mechanical properties. This research is supported by the NIH.