The presentation will describe our work in bridging the gap between natural materials (e.g., collagen), which are multifunctional but expensive, and synthetic materials (e.g. PLGA) that can be made in large scale but have poor functionality. We will illustrate the utility and versatility of the peptide-mimetic platform for immune modulation, hemorrhage control, and addressing bacterial biofilms.
Wound healing is a complex and dynamic process that involves the orchestrated action of numerous soluble factors, cells, and the extracellular matrix. One key concern in wound healing is the need to address wound bacterial colonization and biofilms. The design of pendant-functionalized polyurethanes will be described and their use as antibacterial and antibiofilm agents will be described. In addition to addressing wound infections, there is also the need for providing a scaffold that can promote wound healing by decreasing inflammation and promoting the pro-healing cascade. We will describe the design of 3D printable biodegradable polyester scaffolds that are designed to provide sustained release of therapeutics and growth factors. This platform is envisioned to promote a pro-healing environment and recapitulate native wound healing while providing a cost-effective and widely deployable alternative to current devices in the clinic.
Abraham Joy is a professor and Chair of the Dept. of Bioengineering, Northeastern University. Prior to his move to Northeastern in January 2024, he was a professor of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering at the University of Akron, where he started his independent academic career in 2010. The Joy Research Lab develops peptidomimetic biomaterials to modulate the immune system and studies their interactions with mammalian and bacterial cells. The outcomes of these research initiatives are applied to unmet needs in hemorrhage control, wound healing, bacterial infections, biofilm control, tissue adhesives, sustained delivery of proteins and small molecule therapeutics.