Research Seminars

Date

Speaker/Host

University/Company

Seminar Title

David H. Kohn, M.S.E., Ph.D.
Professor

Our research program focuses on two aspects of biomineralization. First, we seek to understand how the organizational hierarchy of mineralized tissues results in mechanical competence (or, conversely, increased susceptibility to fracture), and how mineralized tissues adapt in response to environmental changes (e.g. alterations in mechanical loading, implantation of a biomaterial; disease; aging). The second component of our research program utilizes principles of biomineralization as a means of designing materials to repair and/or regenerate tissues. In this presentation, three specific research avenues are highlighted: 1) how mechanical loading of the skeletal system leads to compositional changes that increase mechanical competence and damage resistance, even in the absence of increasing bone mass; 2) how composition is altered in the bones of genetically modified animals and how mechanical loading can modulate genetic influences on skeletal competence; and 3) how alterations in diet can affect the structure and function of the skeletal system. Finally, examples of how biomaterials with surfaces that self-assemble bioactive mineral can be used as tissue regeneration templates and serve as platforms for modulating cell function will be presented.

Webpage: http://www.dent.umich.edu/?q=bms/bmsresearch/kohnlab