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Biomedical Engineering Faculty

Rena Bizios, Ph.D..
Peter T. Flawn Professor and Director,
Cellular and Tissue Engineering Laboratory
Department of Biomedical Engineering

Educational Background:
M.S., California Institute of Technology
Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Areas of Research Interest:

  • Cellular and Tissue Engineering
  • Tissue regeneration
  • Biomaterials (including nanostructured ones)
  • Mechanisms of cellular responses to stimuli (chemical, mechanical, magnetic, electrical)
  • Biocompatibility (specifically, cell/biomaterial interactions)

    • The research activities of my laboratory have focused on the aforementioned areas. For this purpose, information and insight that have become available through recent advances in a number of disciplines such as cellular/molecular biology, biochemistry, materials science, etc., has been utilized. Examples of such endeavors include: modification of material surfaces with immobilized, bioactive compounds such as select adhesive peptides; micropatterning of material surfaces in order to direct and control subsequent adhesion of specific cell lines in designated domains; and novel material formulations (specifically, nanoceramics and nanocomposites) with unique biocompatibility and/or improved mechanical and electrical properties. Cellular, in vitro models have been used to evaluate the cytocompatibility of these constructs and to determine the chemical conditions and biophysical (specifically, pressure, electric and magnetic) stimuli needed to promote neotissue growth.

    This research exemplifies alternative strategies and novel approaches of great potential for tissue regeneration purposes in tissue engineering and other biomedical applications.

    Selected Publications:

    McManus, A.J., R.H. Doremus, R.W. Siegel, R. Bizios. Evaluation of the cytocompatibility and bending modulus of nanoceramic/polymer composites. J Biomed Mater Res 72:98-106, 2005.

    Shin, H.Y., R. Bizios, M.E. Gerritsen. Cyclic pressure modulates vascular endothelial barrier function. Endothelium 10: 1-8, 2003.

    Nagatomi, J., B.P. Arulanandam. D.W. Metzger, A. Meunier, R. Bizios. Cyclic pressure affects osteoblast functions pertinent to osteogenesis. Annals Biomed Engineer 31: 917-923, 2003.

    Shin, H.Y., M.L. Smith, K.J. Toy, P.M. Williams, J. Lee, R. Bizios, M.E. Gerritsen. VEGF-C mediates cyclic pressure-induced endothelial cell proliferation: a DNA microarray analysis of pressure-sensitive gene expression. Amer J Physiology: Physiological Genomics 11: 245-251, 2002.

    Shin, H.Y., M.E. Gerritsen, R. Bizios. Regulation of endothelial cell proliferation and apoptosis by cyclic pressure. Annals of Biomed Engineer 30:297-304, 2002.

    Nagatomi, J., B.P. Arulanandam. D.W. Metzger, A. Meunier, R. Bizios. Effects of cyclic pressure on bone marrow cell cultures. J Biomechanical Engineer 124:308-314, 2002.

    Supronowicz, P.R., P.M. Ajayan, K.R. Ullmann, B.P. Arulanandam, D.W. Metzger, R. Bizios. Novel current-conducting composite substrates for exposing osteoblasts to alternating current stimulation. J Biomed Mater Res 59: 499-506, 2002.

    Hasenbein, M.E., T.T. Andersen, R. Bizios. Micropatterned surfaces modified with select peptides promote exclusive interactions with osteoblasts. Biomater 23: 3937-3942, 2002.

    Nagatomi, J., B.P. Arulanandam, D.W. Metzger, A. Meunier, R. Bizios. Frequency- andduration-dependent effects of cyclic pressure on select osteoblast functions. Tissue Engineering 7: 717-728, 2001.

    Webster, T.J., C. Ergun, R.H. Doremus, R.W. Siegel, R. Bizios. Enhanced functions of osteoclast-like cell on nanophase ceramics. Biomater 22: 1327-1333, 2001.

    Webster, T.J., L.S. Schadler, R.W. Siegel, R. Bizios. Mechanisms of enhanced osteoblast adhesion on nanophase alumina involve vitronectin. Tissue Engineering 7: 291-301, 2001.

    Webster, T.J., C. Ergun, R.H. Doremus, R.W. Siegel, R. Bizios. Specific proteins mediate enhanced osteoblast adhesion on nanophase ceramics. J Biomed Mater Res 51: 475-483, 2000.

    Webster, T.J., C.Ergun, R.H. Doremus, R.W. Siegel, R. Bizios. Enhanced functions of osteoblasts on nanophase ceramics. Biomater 21: 1803-1810, 2000.

    Schwartz, E.A., R. Bizios, M.E. Gerritsen. Effects of hydrostatic pressure on endothelial cells. Chapter 13, pp. 275-290, in Endothelium and Mechanical Forces, P.I. Lelkes (ed.), Harwood Academic Publishers, London, England, 1999.

    Dee, K.C, T.T. Andersen, R. Bizios. Design and function of novel osteoblast-adhesive peptides for chemical modification of biomaterials. J Biomed Mater Res 40:371-377, 1998.

    Schwartz, E.A., R. Bizios, M.S. Medow, M.E. Gerritsen. Exposure of human vascular endothelial cells to sustained hydrostatic pressure stimulates proliferation: involvement of the av integrins. Circulation Res 84: 315-322, 1999.

    Webster, T.J., R.W. Siegel, R. Bizios. Osteoblast adhesion on nanophase ceramics. Biomater 20: 1221-1227, 1999.

    Dee, K.C, T.T. Andersen, R. Bizios. Enhanced endothelialization of substrates modified with immobilized bioactive peptides. Tissue Engineering 1:135-145, 1995.

    Acevedo, A.D., S.S. Bowser, M.E. Gerritsen, R. Bizios. Morphological and proliferative responses of endothelial cells to hydrostatic pressure. Role of fibroblast growth factor. J Cell Physiology:157:603-614, 1993.

    Puleo, D.A., R. Bizios. RGDS tetrapeptide binds to osteoblasts and inhibits fibronectin-mediated adhesion. Bone 12:271-276, 1991.

    Puleo, D.A., L.A. Holleran, R.H. Doremus, R. Bizios. Osteoblast responses to orthopedic implant materials in vitro. J Biomed Mater Res 25:711-723, 1991.

    Contact Information:

    Department of Biomedical Engineering, BSE 1.336
    University of Texas at San Antonio
    Phone: 210-458-6646
    Fax: 210-458-7007
    rena.bizios@utsa.edu

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