Center for Regenerative Medicine and Skeletal Development
The Center for Regenerative Medicine and Skeletal
Development is an interdisciplinary group of basic
scientists engaged in advancing understanding of the
biology of bone, cartilage and skin, and exploring the
potential for regeneration of these tissues lost in humans
in response to trauma, disease and aging. The center was
formed with an NIH infrastructure award to the UConn School of Dental Medicine, in alignment with the
university’s strategic plan to build on existing
extraordinary strengths in the area of musculoskeletal
biology. Areas of research within the center encompass
biomaterials; bone, cartilage and skin differentiation;
craniofacial and tooth development; limb development and
regeneration; and the use of stem cells for skeletal tissue
regeneration and repair.
The center offers research education and training
opportunities for postdoctoral fellows, graduate students,
and Ph.D./D.M.D./M.D. degree students, in part
through an NIH/NIDCR funded training grant. It is also the
administrative home of the skeletal, craniofacial and oral
biology graduate area of concentration.
In addition to directing independent research
programs, integrated research efforts among Center faculty
have led major endeavors including State of
Connecticut stem cell group and limb development
program projects. The center is committed to
multidisciplinary research collaborations within and outside
the University of Connecticut Health Center and is
particularly aligned with the New England Musculoskeletal
Institute and the Health Center's Stem Cell Institute.
The center consists of approximately 60 individuals
including the director, faculty, fellows, graduate students
and staff, and generates extramural funding currently
exceeding $7 million. The 13 independent investigator
laboratories of the center occupy adjacent space on two
research floors, and include dedicated space for fluorescent
microscopic imaging, cryohistology, radioactivity, and
characterization and evaluation of biomaterials; as well as
administrative staff and videoconference meeting rooms. |
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