2017 Stevenson Biomaterials Lecturer

David L. Kaplan

Stern Family Endowed Professor of Engineering, Professor & Chair, Department of Biomedical Engineering,Distinguished University Professor, Tufts University,Director, NIH P41 Resource Center on Tissue Engineering,Editor-in-Chief, ACS Biomaterials Science and Engi, Engineering Silk Proteins for Regenerative Medicine

Abstract:

Silk is one of the oldest biomaterials, utilized as sutures and in wound healing for centuries, yet undergoing a rebirth into new biomaterial formats and applications over the past few decades.  One key to this emergence has been to modify the native protein using new processing methods and chemistries to engineer new material features.  Some of these strategies developed to morph silk, as a high molecular weight amphiphilic protein, into new biomaterials with new properties will be discussed.  The utility of some of these new material formats in 3D printing, biomaterial scaffolding, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine will also be presented.  The needs for tunable, degradable, robust biomaterials for a range of medical goals remains high and silk proteins offer a unique suite of options to help address these needs.

Biography:

David Kaplan is the Stern Family Endowed Professor of Engineering at Tufts University and a Distinguished University Professor.  He is Professor & Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering.  His research focus is on biopolymer engineering to understand structure-function relationships, with emphasis on studies related to self-assembly, biomaterials engineering and regenerative medicine.  Since 2004 he has directed the U.S. National Institutes of Health P41 Tissue Engineering Resource Center (TERC) that involves Tufts University and Columbia University.  He has published over 700 peer reviewed papers and his lab has pioneered the study of silk-based biomaterials in regenerative medicine.  He is the editor-in-chief of the journal ACS Biomaterials Science and Engineering and serves on many other editorial boards and programs for journals and universities.  He has received numerous awards for teaching and research.

The Stevenson Biomaterials Lecture Series
The Stevenson Biomaterials Lecture Series was established in 2007 thanks to the generous support of Trustee Ann McOmber Stevenson (Nursing ‘52) and the late Trustee Emeritus Milton F. Stevenson III (Chemical Engineering ’53).

Each semester, the series brings pioneering biomaterials researchers to the Syracuse University campus. Presenters are selected based on their leading roles in biomaterials research, and are asked to speak on their latest endeavors. In addition, Stevenson lecturers visit with faculty and students to exchange ideas, build bridges, and become familiar with the broad range of biomaterials activities at Syracuse University.