Research
Interests:
Developing Smart Biomaterials: Nervous System Regeneration and Cartilage
Repair,
Glycosaminoglycan Mediated Neuronal Inhibition, Material Properties of
Glial Scar
Current
Research Projects:
1. Proteoglycans Affecting the Material Properties of Nervous Tissue:
After injury to the central nervous system, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans
are upregulated. These upregulated molecules inhibit neuronal regeneration.
This study attempts to better understand chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan
mediated inhibition through studying how proteoglycans affect the mechanical
properties of soft tissues.
2. Development of Biomaterials that Promote Neuronal Regeneration: This
study focuses on developing hydrogel biomaterial systems that improve
regenerative outcomes following spinal cord injury.
3. Development of Biomaterials for Cartilage Replacement/Repair: This
study examines chondrocyte behavior in the presence of hydrogels with
bound matrix molecules in an attempt to design synthetic cartilage replacements.
Publications:
Published Papers:
Gilbert, R.J., McKeon, R.J., Darr, A., Calabro, A., Hascall, V.C., Bellamkonda,
R.V. “CS-4,6 is differentially upregulated in glial scar and is
a potent inhibitor of neurite extension.” Mol Cell Neurosci. 29
[4] (2005) 545-558.
Zhong, Y.,
Yu, X., Gilbert, R., Bellamkonda, R.V. “Stabilizing electrode-host
interfaces: a tissue engineering approach.” J Rehabil Res Dev. 38
[6] (2001) 627-632.
Submitted
Papers:
Gilbert, R.J. and Bellamkonda, R.V. “Growth cone dynamics in 3D
cultures of CS-GAG and laminin.” Submitted to Journal of Neuroscience
Research
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