The Laboratory for Multiscale Regenerative Technologies (LMRT) is under
the direction of Dr. Sangeeta Bhatia in the
Division of Health Sciences Technology and the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in
Cambridge, MA.
The research in the Laboratory for Multiscale Regenerative Technologies is focused on the applications of micro- and nanotechnology to tissue repair and regeneration. Our long-term goals are to improve cellular therapies for liver disease, develop enabling tools to systematically study the fate of stem cells, and design multifunctional nanoparticles for cancer applications.
Our three main areas of research are:
Cells
patterned to resemble the LMRT Logo
(click
the picture to enlarge) |
Hepatic Tissue Engineering
We are interested in understanding the structure/function relationship of the liver to improve cell-based therapy for liver disease. In particular, we focus on how the microenvironment around hepatocytes (the functional cell of the liver) affects cell fate and function. We utilize microfabrication tools (methods developed to manufacture microelectronic circuits) to control and study the role of cell-cell interactions, cell-extracellular matrix interactions, soluble stimuli (e.g. O2), and three-dimensional context on hepatocyte function.
Cell-Based BioMEMS
MEMS is a term used to describe integrated microscale devices that combine electrical, mechanical, and even optical components. Since many biological species are on the same length scale as MEMS devices, the synergy of combining biological systems with MEMS (BioMEMS) can provide the basis for novel, highly instructive biological platforms. We are interested in using arrays of living cells as biosensors and as high-throughput platforms to study fundamental aspects of stem cell biology. Our repertoire of tools includes chemical, topological, fluidic, electrical, and optical manipulation of living cells on chip platforms.
Nanobiotechnology
We are involved in a multidisciplinary effort to develop nanomaterials as tools for biological studies and as multifunctional agents for cancer therapies. By bridging the unique electromagnetic properties of nanomaterials with advances in bioconjugate chemistry, photonics, and phage display we aim to develop ‘intelligent' systems for tumor therapy and biomolecular detection. Our interest centers around nanoparticles and nanoporous materials that can be designed to perform complex tasks such as: home to a tumor, sense changes in cells and tissues, enhance imaging, and trigger the release of a therapeutic payload.
In order to achieve these goals, we collaborate with investigators at MIT, Harvard, and other institutions. Our lab is located on the 5th floor of Building E19 and is equipped with state-of-the art facilities for microscopy, cell culture, surface modification and characterization, and animal perfusion. We are also members of the Microsystems Technology Laboratory (MTL) with fabrication facilities nearby and MEMS@MIT.
Contact Information
Map of Location
