Stem Cell Biology and Therapeutics

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), residing in bone marrow and adipose tissues, have shown great promise in treating aging-related skeletal diseases. However, the regulatory mechanisms of how MSCs interact with immune cells in vivo remain largely unexplored, limiting their widespread clinical application. Our research focuses on elucidating the immunomodulatory roles of MSCs to establish a foundation for developing improved stem cell-based therapies for skeletal repair and regeneration.

Exosomes in Drug Delivery and Therapy

Exosomes derived from MSCs (MSC-EXO) have emerged as a potential platform for targeted drug and gene delivery as well as therapy. Our lab is at the forefront of engineering MSC-EXO to enhance their targeting capabilities and therapeutic functions. By leveraging advanced nanotechnology and chemical engineering, we are developing exosome-based platform optimized for precision medicine. Additionally, we employ the state-of-the-art imaging techniques to evaluate the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of MSC-EXO.

Biomaterials in Tissue Engineering

Biomaterials are integral to advancing tissue engineering strategies for musculoskeletal tissue repair. We are interested in the design and development of smart hydrogel platforms tailored for the treatment of large craniofacial bone defects particularly in the context of aging-related chronic bone loss conditions. These hydrogels are engineered to respond to the dynamic microenvironment of the injury site, supporting tissue integration, controlled drug release, and enhanced osteogenesis. In parallel, we are actively developing biomimetic scaffolds that serve as efficient delivery vehicles for therapeutic molecules. These scaffolds are designed to recapitulate key features of the native extracellular matrix, providing both structural support and biological cues.

Aging-Related Oral and Systemic Diseases

Aging is a major contributing factor to chronic oral and systemic diseases, many of which lack effective therapeutic solutions. Our research integrates expertise from molecular biology, stem cells, nanotechnology, and chemical engineering to explore new therapeutic approaches. We are particularly interested in translating bench-side findings into potential clinical treatments for periodontal disease, bone loss disorders (osteoporosis), and neurodegenerative conditions.