Regenerative Biomaterials

Craig L. Duvall

Assistant Professor

Office:
SC 5919
Email Address:
craig.duvall [at] vanderbilt.edu
Phone:
(615)322-xxxx
FAX
(615-343-7919)
Web Sites:
VUSE, BME

Education:
Postdoctoral Training, Bioengineering, University of Washington, 2007-2009
Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering, 2007,
Georgia Institute Tech and Emory Univ., Atlanta, GA.
B.S. Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, 2001, University Of Kentucky,
Lexington, KY.

Description of Research:
Regenerative medicine is a relatively new but rapidly expanding field geared toward stimulating the body to “naturally” (without surgical reconstruction or prosthetic implantation) repair tissues damaged by ischemia or injury.  Current regenerative approaches typically involve delivery of stem cells or a single growth factor (i.e. VEGF or FGF) either directly or via gene therapy in an attempt to trigger angiogenesis and subsequent tissue recovery.  Preclinical tests have generated a tremendous amount of excitement in this burgeoning field, but the initial human trials have shown modest therapeutic benefits.  The overall goal of the Duvall lab is to better understand the biological and drug delivery barriers limiting the successes of the current pro-angiogenic therapies and to engineer innovative drug compositions delivered via polymer-based technologies to discover improved regenerative routes.

One thrust area in the Duvall Lab involves development of polymer-based, controlled delivery systems to efficiently achieve RNA interference and protein knockdown of gene targets that result in enhanced vascularization and healing at wound sites.  The specific application currently sought strives to reprogram macrophages to produce an array of reparative factors rather than the cytotoxic secretions often released by these cells in settings of impaired wound repair such as diabetes.

A second focus of the Duvall Lab is to engineer systems to better harness the regenerative potential of paracrine factors secreted by stem cells.  Stem cells have been shown to enhance angiogenesis and healing of tissues through the paracrine effects of their secreted factors on the cells in their immediate surroundings.  However, current clinical stem cell delivery approaches often result in poor cell survival and engraftment at injection sites.  The Duvall laboratory seeks to harvest the regenerative secretome of stem cells cultured in vitro and to design and optimize synthetic approaches to deliver these factors in a controlled manner at localized sites of ischemia or injury.  Complementary experiments characterize the stem cell secretome and its properties and compare/optimize stem cell sources for application to various models of ischemia and injury.

The Duvall lab is housed within an approximately 2000 ft2 Biomaterials Laboratory shared with Professor Hak-Joon Sung in the Stevenson Center. This collaborative research environment contains the multidisciplinary expertise and equipment necessary to carry out cutting edge research that covers the full spectrum of synthesis, characterization, and biological testing of regenerative biomaterials.

Publications (link)

Duvall Lab Openings:

Graduate Students

Incoming Vanderbilt BME Ph.D. students with a background and/or interests in biomaterials for drug delivery and cardiovascular regenerative medicine applications are encouraged to directly contact Professor Duvall at craig.duvall@Vanderbilt.edu.Please include a brief description of research interests and a CV.

Postdoctoral Fellows

The Biomaterials Laboratory has an immediate opening for a Postdoctoral Fellow position. A highly motivated candidate is sought with a polymer synthesis and characterization background, strong academic and publication records, and the ability to work independently. The successful candidate will initiate multiple biomaterials-related research projects and will learn a variety techniques related to polymer synthesis, characterization, and biological testing.  Previous experience with organic synthesis, polymer science, and material characterization and the willingness to work in a multidisciplinary environment are desirable. To apply for this position, please email: (i) a cover letter stating your interests and career goals, (ii) a detailed CV, and (iii) contact information for at least three references to craig.duvall@Vanderbilt.edu.