Research Directions
Our lab focuses on developing biomaterials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. We combine materials science principles, bioengineering technologies, cellular and molecular biology techniques, and clinically relevant animal injury models to (1) understand complex cell behavior including cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, and to (2) develop biomaterial-based therapies for tissue regeneration. We are particularly interested in acute trauma sustained by the musculoskeletal system and are motivated to develop engineering solutions that can be translated to the clinic to treat orthopedic injuries.
Polymer synthesis
We use chemical reactions to add useful functional groups to the backbones of biocompatible polymers to create modified biopolymers with added functionalities such as the ability to crosslink on exposure to light.
See following publications for more info:
[1] TH Qazi et al. Biomaterials. 119639. 2020 [LINK]
[2] AP Dhand et al. Adv. Mater. 2202261. 2022 [LINK]
Hydrogel fabrication
We use microscale fabrication technologies like water-in-oil microfluidics and photolithography to form hydrogel microparticles.
See following publications for more info:
[1] TH Qazi et al. Adv. Mater. 2109194. 2022 [LINK]
[2] TH Qazi et al. ACS Biomater. Sci. Eng. 8(4) 1427-1442. 2022 [LINK]
Injectable biomaterials
We process microparticles by jamming them into aggregates called granular hydrogels which have the mechanical strength of solids and the flowability of liquids. We use these as injectable materials for minimally invasive therapeutics delivery.
See following publications for more info:
[1] TH Qazi and JA Burdick. Biomater. Biosyst. 100008. 2021 [LINK]
[2] VG Muir et al. ACS Biomater. Sci. Eng. 7 4269. 2021 [LINK]
Tissue Regeneration
We design materials to interact with cells and tissues in the body. Functional biomaterials guide cellular processes such as migration, differentiation, and proliferation to stimulate tissue repair such as the growth and invasion of blood vessels (stained in cyan on the left)
See following publications for more info:
[1] TH Qazi et al. Adv. Mater. 2109194. 2022 [LINK]
[2] TH Qazi et al. Cell Stem Cell. 29(5) 678-691. 2022 [LINK]
Cell-Material Interactions
We study how cells respond to changes in the properties of their microenvironment by conducting in vitro studies within 3D hydrogels that mimic aspects of the native cellular niche.
See following publications for more info:
[1] TH Qazi et al. ACS Biomater. Sci. Eng. 5(10) 5348. 2019 [LINK]
[2] TH Qazi et al. Biomaterials. 140, 103. 2017 [LINK]
