Laura Suggs

Research Interests

• Cardiovascular tissue engineering
• Extracellular matrix analogs
• Adult progenitor cells
• Vasculogenesis

Research Focus
The Suggs research lab is primarily interested in the development of biologically active materials and their use and behavior in cardiovascular tissue engineering, with an emphasis on molecular and cellular mechanisms during processes such as vasculogenesis as well as the structure of both natural and synthetic polymers and their effect on living tissues. With this fundamental knowledge base, biomaterials can be designed to mimic naturally occurring structures found in the supporting extracellular matrix.

Suggs is developing structural entities that allow for three-dimensional organization and directed differentiation of progenitor cell types. The end goal is to grow vascular beds de novo for applications such as prevascularization of tissue-engineered constructs or revascularizing ischemic myocardium. Suggs' research lab utilizes a number of techniques, including polymer synthesis and characterization using traditional wet chemistry techniques, as well as various biochemical analysis techniques. They culture bone marrow stem cells and evaluate differentiated phenotype and function using immunohistochemistry and PCR. They are also working on developing in vitro models of vascularization based on coronary vessel development during embryogenesis.

Related Websites

Suggs Lab

SELECT PUBLICATIONS