Explore some of the fascinating ways the University of Michigan is helping to advance medicine. The Alumni Association presents a series of upcoming events on medical innovation as part of its Lifelong Learning Leaders and Best seminar series. You can attend on campus or from both your home computer or mobile phone via live stream.
Growing Replacement Parts: Tissue Engineering at Michigan
Wednesday, February 29
7 p.m.
To attend, click here
Alumni Center
200 Fletcher St., Ann Arbor
Need new knees, new hips or a new jaw? What if an exact replica could be created using a CT or MRI scan of your own anatomy combined with your own DNA? U-M biomedical engineers and surgeons have developed a method to recreate bone and other tissue lost from age-related causes, cancer or traumatic injuries.
Using completely biodegradable scaffolding, designed and manufactured into a customized shape using patient imaging and laser-based systems, researchers can replicate any part of the human skeleton. The scaffolding is filled with a patient’s own DNA, along with growth factors and other biocompatible compounds, and is then implanted into the patient. Over time, new bone and blood vessels develop within the scaffolding, creating an exact copy of the missing part. The scaffolding biodegrades and dissolves as waste in the body.
U-M biomedical engineer Dr. Scott Hollister and U-M oral/maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Sean Edwards will discuss this revolutionary tissue engineering technique and its implication for the future of reconstructive medicine. Drs. Hollister and Edwards will provide an overview of their current research, applying this technique to recreate a functioning jaw. They’ll share preliminary results of this work, will have examples of the scaffolding material available to see firsthand, and will explore its application to other areas of orthopedic surgery, spine surgery and organ transplantation. To learn more about Dr. Hollister’s research, watch this video.
Leaders and Best seminars are free for Alumni Association members and current U-M students. Not a member of the Alumni Association? Click here to join.
To attend, click here
NOTE: Graduate and Post-Graduate U-M Students, if you experience registration problems (specifically regarding your free registration), please contact our Customer Service Department at m.alumni@umich.edu or 800.847.4764.
Save the Date!
Innovations in Pediatric Medicine and C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital Tour
Thursday, March 29
7 p.m.
Personalized Oncology
Spring (TBD)
7 p.m.
