Bioartificial organ systems, Cell delivery and tranplantation, Tissue engineering

Our research interests include two areas: biotechnology and tissue engineering. In the first area, molecular cloning techniques, surface modification, and engineering principles are being used to design and develop devices that can neutralize the activity of macromolecules in the blood that are implicated in pathologic conditions or deleterious side effects. For example, the specific removal of beta-2-microglobulin from blood is part of an effort to control the concentration of proteins implicated in the formation and stabilization of amyloid deposits that are present in patients with end stage renal disease. The tissue engineering efforts currently include cardiovascular and orthopaedic applications. In the cardiovascular arena, we are interested in designing and evaluating biodegradable materials that would be conducive to the formation of small-diameter blood vessels and heart valves. Specifically we want to understand how the mechanical properties of the biomaterial influence cell signaling and tissue growth. In the orthopaedic arena, we are addressing problems associated with knee injuries, specifically injuries to the meniscus and ligaments. The meniscus is a cartilaginous structure located in the knee and meniscal as well as ligament tears are a common occurrence during sports activities. A truncated or impaired meniscus or ligament can lead to joint malfunction and to osteoarthritis. Tissue engineering, controlled drug delivery, and gene-expression profiling are some of the tools that are being used to investigate novel ways to promote wound healing within the avascular zone of the meniscus. In the case of chronic degeneration of this tissue, cell/biomaterial interactions are studied with the goal of creating a bioartificial meniscus that could potentially be used for transplantations. Our efforts to engineer a ligament focus on understanding how the microarchitecture and mechanical properties of a biomaterial will influence cell signaling and the resulting tissue. We are also developing novel experimental approaches to non invasively and quantitatively assess the development engineered tissues in real time (in collaboration with Prof. Backman).

A. Webb, J. Yang, and G.A. Ameer. Biodegradable Polyester Elastomers in Tissue Engineering, Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy, vol 4, no. 6, pp 801 - 812, 2004.

J. Yang, A. Webb, and G.A. Ameer. Novel citric acid-based biodegradable elastomers for tissue engineering. Advanced Materials, vol 16, pp 511-516, 2004.

E.A. Grovender, B. Kellogg, Singh, Blom, Ploegh, D. Wittrup, R. Langer and G.A. Ameer. Single-Chain Antibody Fragment-Based Adsorbent for the Extracorporeal Removal of microglobulin from Blood. Kidney International, vol 65 pp 310-322, 2004.

E.A. Grovender, B. Kellogg, Singh, Blom, Ploegh, D. Wittrup, R. Langer and G.A. Ameer. Single-Chain Antibody Fragment-Based Adsorbent for the Extracorporeal Removal of Microglobulin from Blood. Kidney International. In Press 2003

Y. Wang, G.A. Ameer, B.J. Sheppard, and R. Langer. A Tough Biodegradable Elastomer. Nature Biotechnology, 20(6), 587-591, 2002.

G.A. Ameer, T.A. Mahmood, and R. Langer. A Biodegradable Composite Scaffold for Cell Transplantation. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 20(1), 16-19, 2002.

E.A. Grovender, C.L. Cooney, R. Langer, and G.A. Ameer. Immunoadsorption Model for a Fluidized-Bed Blood Detoxification Device. AIChE Journal, 48(10), 2357-2365, 2002.

G.A. Ameer, E.A. Grovender, D. Ting, H. Ploegh, W. Owen, M. Rupnik, and R. Langer. A Novel Immunoadsorption Device for Removing b2microglobulin from Whole Blood. Kidney International, 59, 1544-1550, 2001.

G.A. Ameer. Modalities for the Removal of b2microglobulin from Blood. Seminars in Dialysis, 14(2), 103-106, 2001.

E.A. Grovender, C.L. Cooney, R. Langer and G.A. Ameer. Modeling the Mixing Behaviour of a Novel Fluidized Extracorporeal Immunoadsorber. Chemical Engineering Science, 56(18), 5437-5441, 2001.

G.A. Ameer, E.T. Crumpler, and R.Langer. Cell-killing Potential of a Water-Soluble Radical Initiator. International Journal of Cancer, 93(6), 875-879, 2001.

G.A. Ameer, G. Barabino, R. Sasisekharan, C.L. Cooney, W. Harmon, and R. Langer. Ex Vivo Evaluation of a Taylor-Couette Flow, Immobilized Heparinase I Device for Clinical Application. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA, vol. 96, pp 2350-2355, 1999.

View all publications by publications by Guillermo Ameer listed in the National Library of Medicine (PubMed).