“Recent Advances with Silk Protein Biomaterials”

David Kaplan, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Biomedical Engineering
Stern Family Endowed Professor of Engineering
Distinguished University Professor
Tufts University
 

ABSTRACT
Silk have emerged as a new family of protein-based biomaterials for a range of medical needs. Recent advances have continued to evolve the science and engineering of silks into new areas of biological impact. One topic to be discussed is the use of chemically modified silks for cell and tissue coatings as temporary protective shields to support the broader utility of these coated cells and tissues. The other topic is focused on how to bring silk-based manufacturing into the world of commodity plastics, to empower broader accessibility and utility for this material.
 

BIOGRAPHY
David Kaplan is the Stern Family Endowed Professor of Engineering at Tufts University, a Distinguished University Professor, and Professor and Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering. His research focus is on biopolymer engineering, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine and cellular agriculture.  He has published over 1,000 peer reviewed papers, he is editor-in-chief of ACS Biomaterials Science and Engineering and he serves on many editorial boards and programs for journals and universities.  He has received awards for his research and teaching and is an elected Fellow of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering and the National Academy of Engineering.
 

Faculty Host: Felipe Quiroz, Ph.D.