UConn Health scientists describe a new method that can promote regrowth of long bones more affordably and with fewer side effects than other techniques
University Professor Dr. Cato T. Laurencin and colleagues at UConn School of Medicine used a slightly different approach to encourage bone growth. They wanted to release a medicine directly where new bone needed to grow, and do it in a short period of time.
A new paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) is reporting that a graphene/polymer matrix embedded into shoulder muscle can prevent re-tear injuries. The technique uses advanced materials to encourage muscle growth in rotator cuff muscles and address the real problem: muscle degeneration and fat accumulation. Read more by clicking the link below.
On March 28 Dr. Cato T. Laurencin, the University Professor and Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor at the University of Connecticut, received the 2023 Priestley Medal. This is the highest honor of the American Chemical Society. He was honored “for pioneering, breakthrough work on polymeric materials and polymer composites for biologic use, and for leadership in inclusion, diversity, equity, anti-racism and learning (IDEAL).”
In chemistry and materials science, Laurencin is a pioneer in polymeric materials chemistry, and polymeric materials science engineering for musculoskeletal systems. He produced seminal research work and discoveries in patents and papers on polymeric nanofiber technology, ushering in the field of polymeric nanomaterials for tissue regeneration. His work in published papers and patents focusing on polymer-ceramic systems inspired the development of biocomposite materials including interference screws for which he was named “One of the 100 Engineers of the Modern Era” by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers at their centennial celebration. Fundamental research on polymeric fiber system for soft tissue regeneration has led to a number of soft tissue regenerative systems including the Laurencin-Copper (LC) bioengineered anterior cruciate ligament, now in humans. His work on engineered materials for soft tissue regeneration was highlighted by National Geographic Magazine in its “100 Scientific Discoveries that Changed the World” edition. He has worked with industry on the development and understanding of systems combining polymeric materials and allograft human tissue, creating technologies helping patients throughout the world.
Professor Cato T Laurencin was invited to the Vatican to meet with Pope Francis and to discuss his work on Regenerative Engineering. During the visit. Dr. Laurencin gave Pope Francis an honorary Cato T. Laurencin Regenerative Engineering Founder’s Award Medal.
This medal, endowed by the Regenerative Engineering Society and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Foundation, recognizes leadership in the science and practice of convergence research as applied to regeneration.
Dr. Laurencin has made seminal contributions to tissue regeneration, biomaterials science, and nanotechnology. He founded the field of regenerative engineering and has been considered to be the foremost engineer-physician-scientist in the world. His groundbreaking achievements have led to important advances in improving human life. He is the first surgeon to be elected to the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine and the National Academy of Inventors. During his visit to the Vatican, Dr. Laurencin provided an important lecture on the field of Regenerative Engineering. He discussed the Hartford Engineering a Limb project aimed at addressing the grand challenge of whole limb regeneration. Laurencin is the University Professor and Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Connecticut.
A celebratory reception for the new Laurencin Institute was held on February 24 at UConn School of Medicine in Farmington.
We are excited to announce a new institute. It is entitled The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering. “This initiative is only one of the countless number of Dr. Laurencin’s contributions to the development of science and engineering”, says Provost Anne D’Alleva.
Regenerative engineering is a field founded by Professor Cato T. Laurencin. It is described as the convergence of advanced materials sciences, stems cell science, physics, developmental biology, and clinical translation for the regeneration of complex tissues and organ systems. The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering represents a transdisciplinary effort at UConn with a focus on the musculoskeletal area. The Institute integrates medicine, engineering, surgery, biology, physics, chemistry, and statistics/machine learning to enable a powerful platform for addressing scientific and medical problems in the regeneration and healing of complex tissues, organs, or organ systems.
The Cato T. Laurencin Institute of Regenerative Engineering holds to the pillars developed for the first Cato T. Laurencin Institute, namely:
Excellence in Science
Anti-Racism and Justice
Sponsorship and Mentorship
International, National, and Community Action
Transformative Technologies for Humanity
Economic Value Creation
In addition to this endeavor, Dr. Laurencin has created a ground-breaking project. It is entitled, Cato T. Laurencin Innovative Convergence Ventures (CTLICV). The CTLICV invests in next-generation companies based on innovative research conducted created within the Institute and its collaborating partners across UConn and greater university and corporate communities. We seek strong co-investor syndicates to develop products across a range of categories including regenerative engineering, drugs, devices, diagnostics, and digital health. The intent is to fast-track innovative research from bench to bed, with measurable impact on public health, quality of life, reducing societal disparity, and economic development.
CTLICV’s investments are directed at the seed and Series A stages, where it attracts capital and talent into the most difficult-to-fund phase of company development. When we invest, we expect to support each portfolio company through its entire financing lifecycle. We leverage the portfolio investment activity and internal/external relationships to further the mission vision and values of the Institute. Additionally, the fund taps into our experience in starting and growing companies, our expertise in the medical industry, and our network of scientific and business talent to build great companies.
The scientific and educational opportunities being pursued now and in the future at UConn will enable innovation and problem-solving beyond conventional academic boundaries. A core mission of UConn is precisely to foster new ways of thinking and new approaches to answers in medicine, science, engineering, and technology. We invite you to engage with us as we continue our work here at UConn.
Dr. Gualberto Ruaño of UConn Health and its Connecticut Convergence Institute for Translation in Regenerative Engineering.
UConn Health’s Dr. Gualberto Ruaño Appointed Chair of CASE’s Broadening Participation, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. For three decades Dr. Gualberto Ruaño has been an innovator in biotechnology and a pioneer in personalized medicine.
This January UConn’s Dr. Cato T. Laurencin visited St. Lucia where he bestowed the first struck medal Cato T. Laurencin Regenerative Engineering Founder’s Award to St. Lucia’s Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre in honorary recognition of his support of regenerative engineering in the country.
The University of Connecticut Professor Cato T. Laurencin, CEO of theConnecticut Convergence Instituteat UConn Health, met with the Prime Minister of St. Lucia during a January 18- 22 trip to the country.
Dr. Cato T. Laurencin, CEO of the Connecticut Convergence Institute met with officials again in St. Lucia to finalize the signing of the charter for the JUMP program. This partnership with Saint Lucia has launched ‘UConn JUMP Saint Lucia’ to educate Saint Lucian communities. This will provide more control over their food system, and opportunities for families and youth to establish new eating habits. This initiative will improve the quality of life for the Saint Lucian population.
Based on the community health promotion experiences and successes in the UConn JUMP program in the United States, Dr. Laurencin advised a plan to partner with various community organizations and Sir Arthur Community College.
Laurencin also had the honor of giving the Honorable Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister of St. Lucia a Cato T. Laurencin Founders’ Award medal. The award recognizes individuals in the field that have demonstrated leadership in the science and practice of convergence research as applied to regenerative engineering and medicine. The Prime Minister received this as a gift for contributing his help to regenerative engineering.
UConn Professor Dr. Cato T. Laurencin was honored last week at the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering (CMBE) conference. He was awarded the Shu Chien Achievement Award, the most prestigious honor bestowed by the BMES Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering (CMBE) Group. The award recognizes an individual who has made exceptional contributions to the cellular and molecular bioengineering field, and someone who has been a great mentor to others.
At the 2022 International Conference on Biomaterials, Regenerative Medicine and Devices (BIO-Remedi), Erick Orozco Morato was awarded with a certificate for Best Oral Presentation for his abstract titled: Intra-articular Delivery of Curcumin and Ropivacaine for Managing Osteoarthritic Pain. The meeting was held in December 2022 at IIT Guwahati, India.
