University of Bath - Centre for Regenerative Medicine
Regeneration of tissues in order to facilitate the development of new clinical technologies and therapies
The Centre for Regenerative Medicine comprises research groups of the Department of Biology & Biochemistry, the Department of Chemical Engineering, the School for Health, and the Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology.
Prof. Julian Chaudhuri, Deputy Director
Dr. Andrew Ward, Co-Director
Prof. Melanie Welham, Co-Director
Department of Biology & Biochemistry
Bath BA2 7AY
UK
Phone: +44-1225-386407
Fax: +44-1225-386779
The research group around Prof. Chaudhuri concentrates on collagen as a scaffold material, both in form of naturally derived structures (porcine carotid arteries), or in form of collagen gels. Tubular, hollow fibre biodegradable scaffolds are explored and rapid prototyping techniques are used for the production of tissue engineering scaffolds. The main aim is the development of dermal and small-diameter vascular replacements, for treatment of ulcers and peripheral vascular disease respectively.
Another approach is the development of bioreactors in order to create 3D tissue constructs; a novel bioreactor was recently developed in cooperation with Smith & Nephew plc, funded by a DTI Foresight Award.
In collaborative work with Dr. Richard Oreffo from the University of Southampton and Dr. Dek Woolfson from the University of Sussex the group has been combining human mesenchymal stem cells with a novel scaffold in a bioreactor system to regenerate cartilage tissue.
Goals of the group of Prof. Slack are to understand the molecular basis of development and regeneration of the gut, tail and limbs, as well as the understanding of the molecular characteristics of stem cells and the rules for their interconversion. The group is using Xenopus frogs to examine various problems in organ development and regeneration.
Prof. Horrocks is focused on bone resorption, cell biology, vascular biology, venous ulcer management and aortic stenting.
Dr. Kelsh is interested in neural crest development and uses vertebrate (Zebrafish) neural crest as model system.
Dr. Tosh is primarly specialised in the investigation of transdifferentiation. His group has developed a number of models for the transdifferentiation of pancreas to liver and the reverse, liver to pancreas transformation.
Dr. Ward investigates the molecular mechanisms regulating mammalian growth.
Prof. Welham studies the molecular signalling and regulation of stem and haemopoietic cell function.