Resarch Overview We focus on biomaterials for tissue engineering applications. Our approach to tissue engineering brings together cells with biocompatible materials and chemical cues to improve tissue regeneration. We engineer materials by controlling their mechanical properties such as stiffness, toughness, and degradability. These materials are combined with both soluble and insoluble chemical factors such as cell adhesion domains and growth factors. Ultimately, the engineered biomaterials are able to deliver chemical cues with the appropriate temporal and concentration distributions to elicit our desired cell response. Through this research, we will establish innovative strategies for in vitro cell culture and in vivo cell transplantation for use in tissue engineering and cell-based therapies.

Featured Publications

H. J. Kong and D. J. Mooney, "Cellular microenvironments to regulate biomacromolecular therapies," Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 6, 455-463 (2007).

H. J. Kong, C.J. Kim, N. D. Huebsch, D. Weitz, D. J. Mooney, "Non-Invasive probing of the spatial organization of polymer chains in hydrogels using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)," Journal of the American Chemical Society, 129, 4518-4519 (2007).

H. J. Kong, S. Hsiong, D. J. Mooney, "Nanoscale cell adhesion ligands presentation regulates non-viral gene delivery and expression," Nano Letters, 7, 161-166 (2007).

H. J. Kong, T. Boontheekul, D. J. Mooney, "Quantifying the relation between adhesion ligand-receptor bond formation and cell phenotype," Proceedings of the National Academy Sciences (USA), 103, 18534-18539 (2006).

 

News

Dr.Kong was awarded the Scientist Development Grant from the American Heart Association

April 11, 2008: Congratulations to Kendra for placing third at the first annual ChBE Undergraduate Research Symposium

March 7-8, 2008: Congratulations to Kendra, Josh, Matt, and Brian for placing second in Original Undergraduate Research at Engineering Open House.