Biomaterials

Launch Event for the ARMI’s BiofabUSA

By Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D.

On July 28, members of the Institute for Regenerative Engineering (IRE) attended the launch event of Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute’s (ARMI) BiofabUSA, a public/private partnership focused on “Manufacturing the Future of Biofabrication.” This event brought together industry, academia and government to celebrate the opening of new facilities in the Manchester Millyard in New Hampshire. Headed by Dean Kamen of DEKA Research and Development Corp., the BiofabUSA aims to increase the growth and the actual use of human engineered tissues and organs.

The IRE has teamed up with ARMI in order to pursue the science of Regenerating Human Limbs. We are excited by this collaboration and the unique opportunity to lend our expertise to our country and push our regenerative engineering discoveries and breakthroughs closer to the bedsides of soldiers and other Americans in need of vital medical care.

 ARMI’s BiofabUSA

 ARMI’s BiofabUSA

Visiting University of Sydney

By Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D.

I had the great pleasure of visiting the University of Sydney and met with Dr. Chrzanowski Wojciech, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Pharmacy. Dr. Wojciech is a world-renowned scientist in biomaterials science and engineering. During the visit, I saw the extraordinary work that Dr. Wojciech’s team has been doing in biomaterials and drug delivery devices development. I also shared about our new HEAL project at IRE. Thank you to Dr. Wojciech for hosting me at the University of Sydney. I look forward to possible collaborations in the future.

Dr. Chrzanowski Wojciech and Dr. Cato Laurencin in Sydney, Australia

2016 Founders Award

I am deeply honored and humbled to have been selected for the 2016 Founders Award from the Society For Biomaterials (SFB). The Founders Award is SFB’s highest award, and the selection is based on long-term, landmark contributions to the discipline of biomaterials. I will be honored at the 2016 World Biomaterials Congress in Montreal, Canada on May 18. I thank the SFB and look forward to advancing the discipline with new initiatives including the HEAL Project – our newly launched grand research challenge with the goals of engineering a human knee in seven years and an entire limb within 15 years. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Founders Award selection committee and the chair of SFB, Dr. Thomas Webster.

Cato T. Laurencin M.D., Ph.D. Travel Fellowship

This month, the Society for Biomaterials (SFB) announced the creation of the Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D. Travel Fellowship which encourages minority students to pursue a career in biomaterials. It provides an undergraduate student with the resources to attend the SFB’s annual meeting and become a member of the Society. The Society for Biomaterials is a multidisciplinary society of academic, health care, governmental and business professionals dedicated to promoting advancements in all aspects of biomaterial science, education and professional standards to enhance human health and quality of life.

Learn more about the Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D. Travel Fellowship.