The Skeletal Biotech Lab conducts skeletal tissue engineering research by using adult stem cell–based and gene therapy approaches, with the goal of developing innovative biological tools for organ & tissue repair.   

It is our aim to select and converge scientific knowledge and technologies from the fields of biotechnology, nanotechnology, and molecular & micro imaging, in order to pave the way to the clinical application of a platform for skeletal tissue engineering.

To do this we make the use of fresh purified human mesenchymal stem cells, and genetically modify them to express the specific genes controlling differentiation into bone, cartilage, tendon, ligament, and the intervertebral disc. These are all integral to the promotion of skeletal regeneration.

We also use molecular and ultrasonographic modalities in order to activate and recruit endogenous adult stem cells, which are present in quiescent forms in various areas of the human body.

Currently, we apply state-of-the-art immunoisolation techniques. Our lab uses nonviral protocols for gene transfer, together with in vivo and ex vivo electroporation for gene delivery.

Various molecular & micro imaging technologies are employed for quantitative and noninvasive imaging, and for gene expression monitoring during our analysis. These include micro-magnetic resonance imaging (μMRI), micro–computerized tomography (μCT), nuclear imaging (μPET and μSPECT), and micro-optical imaging. The latter encompasses in vivo bioluminescence & fluorescence, and fibered confocal fluorescence microscopy.