Research Areas

Denise Aberle, M.D. (Univ. of Kansas, 1976)

Research interests:  Imaging-based clinical trials and medical data visualization

Dr. Aberle is part of the UCLA Medical Imaging Informatics Group, with research interests focusing on imaging-based clinical trials and medical data visualization. She is currently leading one of the largest prospective lung cancer screen trials in the nation, the NLST (National Lung Screening Trial), a multi-center national endeavor. In addition, she is involved in and co-PIs multiple NIH resarch projects. Dr. Denise Aberle is also the Curriculum Chair for the UCLA Medical Imaging Informatics' NLM training program.

Eric Pei-Yu Chiou  (University of California, Berkeley, 2005)

Plasmonic photothermal cell surgery, Pulse laser high speed microfludic devices, Pulse laser driven high speed fluorescent activated cell sorters, Nanowire ehhanced optomagnetic tweezers, Microfluidic integrated optoelectronic tweezers, Optoelectronic tweezers for droplet manipulation and chemical preparation

Mark Cohen, Ph.D. (The Rockefeller University, 1985)

Mark Cohen's training is equal parts engineering and neuroscience. His contributions include his critical role in the development of practical echo-planar scanning, ultra-fast MRI applications, contrast-based and BOLD functional MRI, applications of linear systems analysis to increase fMRI sensitiivity and resolution, and concurrent recordings of EEG and fMRI to better understand brain dynamics and distributed processing. He and his lab have contributed to an understanding of the power of pattern recognition and machine learning to both interpet/classify neural data and as a source of discovery of the processes that result in cognition, perception, emotion and pathology.

Linda L. Demer, M.D., Ph.D. (The Johns Hopkins University, 1983)

The research in my laboratory addresses the cellular and molecular mechanisms of artery wall mineralization, particularly atherosclerotic calcification.  We pioneered this field by showing that the process is regulated at the molecular level and occurs by osteoblastic differentiation of vascular stem cells stimulated by inflammatory cytokines, many of which are induced by oxidized lipoprotein nanoparticles.

Timothy Deming, Ph.D. (UC Berkeley, 1993)

Research interests:  Polymer synthesis, polymer processing, supramolecular materials, organometallic catalysis, biomimetic materials, polypeptides

Professor Timothy Deming Research Group

Research in the Deming group is focused on synthesis, processing, characterization and evaluation of biological and biomimetic materials based on polypeptides. These materials are being studied since they can be prepared from renewable resources, they can be biocompatible and biodegradable, and possess unique self-assembling properties. We utilize innovative chemistry techniques to synthesize materials with properties that rival the complexity found in biological systems. The polymers are then processed into ordered assemblies, which are characterized for both nanoscale structure as well as biological function. This interdisciplinary approach stimulates innovations and ideas which direct this research into new, exciting areas.

Dino Di Carlo, Ph.D. (UC Berkeley, 2006)

Research interests:  Microfluidics, biomedical microdevices, cellular diagnostics, cell analysis and engineering

 We are exploiting unique physics, microenvironment control, and the potential for automation associated with miniaturized systems for applications in basic biology, medical diagnostics, and cellular engineering.

Current Research Topics

1. Quantitative Cell Biology and Mechanics of Cancer Metastasis. Microfluidic methods to control the surface chemistry, mechanical, and soluble environment are well suited to address questions associated with cell migration and movement. We are particularly interested in the process of cancer metastasis and intravasation.

2. Nonlinear Microfluidics. Nonlinear fluid dynamic effects are usually not considered in microfluidic systems but may provide simple methods to manipulate and sort cells at high-throughputs. We are studying the physical basis of inertial migration of particles and engineering novel portable and robust diagnostic and analysis systems using this phenomenon.

3. Microfluidic Directed Cellular Evolution. Microfluidic technologies may offer advantages in creating new useful selection criteria for cellular evolution. Examples include cell migration speed, proteolytic activity, deformability, shear-stress stability, and osmotic tolerance. Besides gaining an understanding of dominant molecular pathways in controlling these behaviors, the resultant evolved cell populations and genetic modifications may be useful for therapeutic applications.

James Dunn, M.D., Ph.D. (Harvard, MIT, 1992)

Research interests:  Tissue engineering, stem cell therapy, regenerative medicine

Professor Dunn's research project includes:  Intestinal tissue engineering, adrenal cortical stem cells, mass transfer in tissue engineering, mechanical forces in tissue engineering, intracellular signaling in tissue engineering

Warren S. Grundfest, M.D., FACS (Columbia, 1980)

Research interests:  Excimer laser, minimally invasive surgery, biological spectroscopy

Professor Grundfest's research investigates a variety of laser applications for cardiovascular, ophthalmologic, orthopedic, urologic, and neurological procedures.  Studies are underway to develop improved "optical biopsy techniques" to further reduce the invasiveness of surgery.  Several new technologies including terahertz imaging, laser-based destruction of bacteria, and artificial muscles for prosthetic applications are under investigation.

Dr. Grundfest works closely with the Center for Advanced Surgical and Interventional Technology (CASIT)

Chih-Ming Ho, Ph.D., (Johns Hopkins, 1974)

Research interests:  Molecular mechanics, nano-fluidics, bio-nano research

Professor Ho is known for his contributions in bio-nano technology, micro/nano fluidics, and turbulence.  For more information on research in Professor Ho's group, see the UCLA Micro Systems Laboratories

Bahram Jalali, Ph.D. (Columbia University, 1989)

Professor Jalali's research focuses on RF photonics, fiber optic integrated circuits, integrated optics, and microwave photonics.

Daniel Kamei, Ph.D. (M.I.T., 2001)

Research interests:  Molecular cell bioengineering, rational design of molecular therapeutics, systems-level analyses of cellular processes.

Professor Daniel Kamei Research Group

The goal of the Kamei Laboratory at UCLA is to develop an integrative methodology for identifying innovative solutions to engineering molecular therapeutics. This methodology incorporates a systems approach to modeling biological systems, quantitative cellular experiments, and the development of new diagnostic tools. The modeling is performed to identify novel design criteria for engineering more efficacious therapeutics, while the quantitative cellular experiments are conducted to test our model predictions, as well as to obtain information to establish new hypotheses and models to be tested. In addition to directly changing the molecular architecture of therapeutics, we are striving to improve the sensitivity of diagnostic tools to aid in the early detection of diseases, which may then promote the treatment of the diseases by a greater variety of therapeutics.

Andrea M. Kasko, Ph.D. (U. Akron, 2004)

Research interests:  Polymer synthesis, biomaterials, tissue engineering, cell-material interactions

Professor Andrea Kasko Research Group

Research projects in the Kasko lab:

Smart Biomaterials

We are interested in developing stimuli responsive biomaterials for applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering.  We are currently developing photochemical linkages for drug release and tissue guidance.  We are also developing stimuli-responsive polymer networks, including applications on pH-mediated drug release.

Drug Delivery and Controlled Release

We are interested in developing well controlled stimuli responsive materials for the delivery of therapeutic agents in tissue engineering.  We are also interested in cell-specific delivery of  drug for treatment of cancer.

Edward E.R. McCabe, M.D., Ph.D. (USC, 1974 and 1972)

Research interests:  Stem cell identification, regenerative medicine, systems biology

Our group was one of the first to develop a systematic structure to explain why genotype did not predict phenotype for human genetic diseases, and why the phenotypes of even “simple” Mendelian disorders are complex traits. We are now using cultured cells and model organisms to explore this complexity.

Aydogan Ozcan, Ph.D. (Stanford, 2005)

Photonics and its applications to nanoand bio-technology, including but not limited to (a) imaging the nano-world, especially in bio-compatible settings; (b) providing powerful solutions to global health related problems such as measurement of the cell count of HIV patients in resource limited settings; (c) rapid and parallel detection of hundreds of thousands of molecular level binding events targeting microarray based proteomics and genomics; and (d) monitoring of the biological state of 3D engineered tissues.

Jacob Schmidt, Ph.D. (Minnesota, 1999)

Research interests:  Biophysics at the micro and nanoscale, membrane protein engineering, biological-inorganic hybrid devices

The central research theme of the Schmidt Group is the integration of functional biological components into engineered devices. We have a highly multidisciplinary laboratory, drawing upon biology, physics, and nanofabrication. We are capable of performing all aspects of protein production and engineering and are experienced with biophysical measurements of proteins and cells integrated into engineered structures.

Bill Tawil, Ph.D. (McGill Univ., 1992)

Research interests:  Skin tissue engineering, bone tissue engineering, vascular tissue engineering, wound healing

My research focuses on the use of biomaterials to deliver cells such as fibroblasts, keratinocytes and stem cells. The biomaterials include fibrin and collagen. The research also focuses on generating synthetic materials coated with fibrin and collagen. The cell – biomaterial interaction is examined by studying the protein expression by cells incorporated in the constructs. The research also examines the biomechanical characteristic of the cell – biomaterials constructs over a period of time. The research so far shows that changing the concentration of fibrinogen, thrombin or collagen in the final constructs influences the protein expression by the cells as well as the biomechanical characteristics of the constructs. The research also indicates that the environment within the constructs affects the mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into osteoblasts.

Gerard Wong, Ph.D. (U.C. Berkeley, 1994)

Research interests:  Membrane-active-antimicrobials, Signaling and self-organization in bacterial biofilms, Soft condensed matter physics of self-assembly, Polyelectrolyte physics, Femtosecond x-ray imaging of aqueous ion dynamics, Single molecule crystallography

We are interested in a multi-disciplinary approach to solving problems in biology and biomedicine, combining physics, chemistry, biology, as well as engineering. The group is inherently interdisciplinary; our collaborations include physicists, chemists, materials scientists, biologists, medical doctors, as well as bioengineers.

Ben Wu, D.D.S. (Univ. of Pacific, 1987), Ph.D. (M.I.T., 1997)

Research interests:  Biomaterials, cell-material interactions, materials processing, tissue engineering, wound healing, prosthetic and regenerative dentistry

Professor Benjamin Wu is a practicing clinician and biomaterial scientist.  His research brings to bear bioengineering approaches to regenerate lost tissues based on the following biomimetic strategy: 

(1) learn from natural development biology, would healing, and tissue remodeling.

(2) copy nature and engineer biomimetic microenvironments to promote tissue repair.

(3) investigate the mechanisms by which progenitor cells and biomolecules interact with engineered microenvironments, which can be formed with a combination of surface bound and/or diffusible biochemical signals and/or biomechanical signals.  His lab applies this general strategy to solve significant clinical problems.