Page 33 - ASME IMECE 2015 Program

Track Plenary

Track 3: Biomedical and Biotechnology Engineering Nanomedicine at The Houston Methodist Research Institute, where he
SESSION 3-1-1: PLENARY SESSION serves as co-chair of the Department of Nanomedicine, director of the
Monday, November 16, 10:30am–12:00pm Center for Biomimetic Medicine, and director of the Surgical Advanced
360F, Convention Center Technology Lab. Dr. Tasciotti directs a large research operation, with 25
Engineering Biomimetic Nanomaterials to Overcome Limitations in research staff and trainees involved in the development of innovative
Drug Delivery and Regenerative Medicine nanotechnology platforms and biomaterials for drug delivery and
(IMECE2015-54193) regenerative medicine. He is an inventor on six U.S. patents, serves as
reviewer for more than 30 scientific journals, and was invited to speak at
Ennio Tasciotti more than 100 international meetings. He served from 2010 to 2012 as the
The Methodist Hospital Research Institute president of the council of reviewers for the Italian Ministry of Health and is
a regular member of the National Institute of Health, U.S. Department of
Abstract: Progress in cancer treatment has been limited by the absence of Defense and NCI study sections. Description of Research: Biomimetic
effective approaches to achieve selective delivery of drugs to the tumor materials to improve tissue regeneration and modulate the immune
while sparing other tissues. This disconnect is rooted in the inefficient response, bio-inspired delivery platforms for the targeting of inflammation,
delivery of imaging and therapeutic agents to the tumor site upon nanostructured hydrogels for the localized sustained release of clinically
systemic delivery. It is possible to modulate the behavior of biological approved drugs, and development of new surgical procedures and
barriers to our advantage without disrupting them and that nanoparticles clinical approaches using nanotherapeutics. Dr. Tasciotti has trained 15
can be engineered to interact with their living counterpart’s, not through undergraduates, 20 PhD students, 27 Postdoctoral fellows, and three
physical means but speaking their same language, following their same medical residents in his career. He currently serves as director of the
molecular codes, cellular pathways, and physiologic regulation. We Center for Biomimetic Medicine at the Houston Methodist Research
addressed particle synthesis and modification (coating and assembly), Institute and as director of the Center for Surgical Advanced Technology
escape from the lysosomal pathways (intracellular and intercellular at the Methodist Hospital.
trafficking mechanisms), reduced opsonization and phagocytosis, and
increased endothelial penetration (through the mimicking of cell behavior).
Similarly, tissue engineering holds the promise of improving the outcome
of many chronic conditions through advances in biomimetic materials. With Understanding the Mechanobiology of Continuous Positive Airway
the advent of nanostructured scaffolds, the regenerative potential of stem Pressure in the Premature Lung: Implications for Pediatric Asthma
cells can be now harnessed to its full extent. We developed and charac- (IMECE2015-53837)
terized new biomimetic materials for use in tissue engineering, including Y.S. Prakash
both implantable constructs and injectable formulations with high
Mayo College of Medicine
regenerative potential containing molecular and topographical cues able
to instruct and guide immune and stem cells toward intended phenotypes. Abstract: Throughout life, lung function is inextricably linked to dynamic
We investigated, in particular, the role of macrophages in wound healing cyclical stretching of cells and matrices induced by breathing, which affect
and tissue repair and developed materials with the unique ability to induce lung development, growth and remodeling. Here, bronchial airway cells
a macrophage switch from a pro-inflammatory to an anti-inflammatory undergo cyclical stretch via tethering parenchyma. Such mechanobiologi-
phenotype. By tuning the inflammatory response following implantation, cal effects are thought to be important in the structural changes seen in
we yielded functional restoration of the tissue without the use of any diseases such as asthma and pulmonary fibrosis. In this regard, wheezing
additional bioactive molecule or growth factor. disorders including asthma are the major source of respiratory morbidity in
former preterm infants. Clinical interventions in the neonatal ICU such as
Biography: Dr. Tasciotti’s background is in molecular biology, and he
hyperoxia and positive pressure mechanical ventilation to maintain
received a PhD in molecular medicine. In 2006, he moved to the depart-
oxygenation are thought to be contributory due to detrimental stretching
ment of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas and laid the
and damage of fragile lung alveoli. A fundamental clinical practice change
groundwork of two nanotechnology platforms: protein nanochips for the
has been the use of non-invasive nasal continuous positive airway
early detection of diseases and multistage nanoporous silicon particles for
pressure (CPAP), with/without hyperoxia. While CPAP is beneficial in the
the targeted delivery of therapeutics (selected as one of the “Five big
immediate neonatal period, it is unknown whether the initial mechanical
ideas for nanotechnology” by Nature Medicine in 2008.) In 2008, Dr.
stretch imposed on the immature airway by CPAP has detrimental
Tasciotti was appointed assistant professor in the first Department of
long-term consequences (akin to mechanical ventilation). While breath-
Nanomedicine of a U.S. medical school (University of Texas Medical
ing-induced stretch per se aids lung growth, it is entirely possible that the
School). There, he conceived and coordinated the research project: “BioN-
combination of CPAP-induced static stretch and hyperoxia promotes
anoScaffold for post-traumatic osteo-regeneration,” to develop multifunc-
detrimental airway remodeling in prematurity, leading to a thicker, stiffer
tional biomaterials that provide immediate mechanical stabilization to bone
airway, predisposing the growing neonate to wheezing and asthma. In this
fractures and promote bone tissue regeneration. The project was funded
talk emerging work will be presented highlighting two mechanosensitive
with $8M by the Fracture Putty program of the Defense Advanced
pathways (caveolae/caveolin-1 and Wnt/?-catenin) that contribute to such
Research Project Agency and involved over 60 investigators from multiple
detrimental effects. These mechanisms, particularly in the presence of
institutions over the course of the last five years. Dr. Tasciotti just received
hyperoxia, facilitate cell proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM)
a $6M grant from the Department of Defense to formalize the clinical 33
formation/fibrosis though important pathways that are also key to
translation of this technology. In 2010, he joined the Department of
embryonic lung development and adult pulmonary fibrosis. Furthermore,