The overall objectives of my research are to develop clinically translatable tissue regeneration and drug delivery strategies, and three-dimensional, in vitro human disease models using biologically-derived biomaterials. We will utilize techniques from engineering, chemistry and biology to address these research areas, including chemical modifications to alter drug-material interactions, small molecule and macromolecule conjugates to direct cell fate, and multi-cellular tissue/disease systems for paracrine signaling and direct cell-cell interactions. My research is focused on biomaterials and their applications in tissue engineering and drug delivery. During my PhD, I worked with photo-crosslinked PEGDA hydrogel systems to study repair strategies for articular cartilage diseases. I also developed low density, bioactive-electrospun fiber scaffolds for repair of articular cartilage defects. My postdoctoral research used silk fibroin proteins from Bombyx mori silkworm cocoons for (1) drug delivery systems for oncology therapeutics and HIV treatment/prevention and (2) tissue regeneration of the kidney and pancreas. In the lab and the classroom, I truly enjoy teaching. I am especially excited to mentor students on their Major Qualifying Projects. I strive to ensure that students are able to (1) apply theoretical concepts to practical applications and (2) fully understand the tasks being performed.
The overall objectives of my research are to develop clinically translatable tissue regeneration and drug delivery strategies, and three-dimensional, in vitro human disease models using biologically-derived biomaterials. We will utilize techniques from engineering, chemistry and biology to address these research areas, including chemical modifications to alter drug-material interactions, small molecule and macromolecule conjugates to direct cell fate, and multi-cellular tissue/disease systems for paracrine signaling and direct cell-cell interactions. My research is focused on biomaterials and their applications in tissue engineering and drug delivery. During my PhD, I worked with photo-crosslinked PEGDA hydrogel systems to study repair strategies for articular cartilage diseases. I also developed low density, bioactive-electrospun fiber scaffolds for repair of articular cartilage defects. My postdoctoral research used silk fibroin proteins from Bombyx mori silkworm cocoons for (1) drug delivery systems for oncology therapeutics and HIV treatment/prevention and (2) tissue regeneration of the kidney and pancreas. In the lab and the classroom, I truly enjoy teaching. I am especially excited to mentor students on their Major Qualifying Projects. I strive to ensure that students are able to (1) apply theoretical concepts to practical applications and (2) fully understand the tasks being performed.
Scholarly Work
Zhang L, Herrera C, Coburn J, Olejniczak N, Ziprin P, Kaplan DL, LiWang PJ. (2017) Stabilization and sustained release of HIV inhibitors by encapsulation in silk fibroin films. ACS Biomaterials Science and Engineering. 3(8):1654-1665.
Pellis A, Silvestrini L, Scaini D, Coburn JM, Gardossi L, Kaplan DL, Acero EH, Guebitz GM. (2017) Enzyme-catalyzed functionalization of poly(L-lactic acid) for drug delivery applications. Process Biochemistry. 59:77-83.
Pellis A, Silvestrini L, Scaini D, Coburn JM, Gardossi L, Kaplan DL, Acero EH, Guebitz GM. (2016) Enzyme-catalyzed functionalization of poly(L-lactic acid) for drug delivery applications. Process Biochemistry.
Chiu B, Coburn J, Pilichowska M, Holcroft C, Seib FP, Charest A, Kaplan DL. (2014) Surgery combined with controlled-release doxorubicin silk films as a treatment strategy in an orthotopic neuroblastoma mouse model. British Journal of Cancer, 111(4):708-15.
Kumar M, Coburn JM, Kaplan DL, Mandal BB. (2016) Immuno-informed 3D silk-biomaterials for tailoring biological responses. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 8(43):29310-22.
Brown JE, Moreau JE, Berman AM, McSherry HJ, Coburn JM, Schmidt DF, Kaplan DL. (2017) Shape memory silk protein sponges for minimally invasive tissue regeneration. Advanced Healthcare Materials. 6(2).
Patents