Alabama State University News September 11, 2015 ASU Awarded $450,000 Grant to Conduct Tissue Generation Research Author: Lois G. Russell Each year, thousands of Americans are treated for ruptures of the anterior cruciate ligament, more commonly known as the ACL. Conventional ACL surgeries are expensive, usually involving tissue grafts, which may necessitate a long recovery time and the potential for developing arthritis or degenerative joint disease. Dr. Derrick Dean, professor of biomedical engineering and researcher in the College of Science, Mathematics and Technology at Alabama State University, says the limitations related to ACL repairs highlight the need for tissue-engineered solutions. Now, thanks to a $450,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, those solutions will be addressed by research conducted by Dean and a team of scientists at ASU. Dean will serve as the grant's director, along with Dr. Elijah Nyairo and Dr. Manoj K. Mishra. The title of the project is "RUI: Spatially and Compositionally Gradient Scaffolds for Anterior Cruciate Ligament." "This study proposes to use a multidisciplinary approach to provide a fundamental understanding of the design and fabrication of a scaffold (a temporary structure made of a biodegradable polymer that facilitates the growth of cells and tissue) that mimics and facilitates the development of the tissue types found in the ACL structure," Dean explained in his grant proposal. "I'm really excited about receiving the grant because it gives us an opportunity to really make a contribution in this area that's beginning to grow. There are a lot of contributions that we can make in this area." The area that Dean referenced is tissue engineering. He says ASU's research will be unique because of the complexity of ACL tissue. "Because it attaches to bone on one end and the ligament on the other, the tissue has to be stiff on one end and flexible on the other, which makes it difficult to replicate the structure," said Dean. "What we have proposed is a nice method for creating this structure that changes as you move from one end of the tissue to the next." Dean said the grant covers a three-year period, and the research being conducted at ASU could have far-reaching implications as it relates to the artificial generation of tissue. "Farther in the future, this type of research could be used to help people injured in accidents, burn victims and soldiers who have been injured during battle or by explosions," said Dean. Dean said the project will be a collaborative effort across several academic disciplines, with students and faculty from the University's chemistry and biology departments involved in the research. "The grant helps to increase the footprint of research at this University," said Dean. "It also provides training for students who will be involved in the research, and it increases the publicity opportunities for the University. Grants like this one go a long way towards helping the University become more research focused." About Dr. Derrick Dean Dr. Derrick Dean, professor of biomedical engineering, served at the University of Alabama at Birmingham as an associate professor and undergraduate program director in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. He has extensive teaching experience relevant to BME and biomaterials, guiding research in the area of polymeric tissue scaffolds and serving as graduate and most recently, Undergraduate Program Director and ABET Coordinator. He held joint appointments in the Biomedical Engineering Department and several research centers, including the Center for Metabolic Bone Disease, Biomatrix Engineering for Regenerative Medicine Center and the Center for Nanoscale Materials and Biointegration. In addition, Dean led an active research group of Materials Science and Biomedical engineering students. Over the last 10 years, he has graduated six Ph.D. and 13 M.S. students, mentored 10 undergraduate students and published 45 papers in the area of polymeric tissue scaffolds and drug delivery systems. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.