Justin S. Weinbaum, PhD

Research Assistant Professor

Director, Vascular ECM Dynamics Laboratory Associate Director, Vascular Bioengineering Laboratory

Center for Bioengineering, #410 | 300 Technology Drive | Pittsburgh, PA 15219 P: 412-624-9242

juw51@pitt.edu

Vascular ECM Dynamics Laboratory

Our laboratory uses a multidisciplinary approach. At the fundamental biological level, we are dedicated to understanding how the native extracellular matrix orchestrates tissue regeneration. As bioengineers, we use this information to innovate strategies to combat vascular disease. Our most recent work has focused on fabricating small-diameter vascular grafts and slowing the progression of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Our primary areas of expertise are in extracellular matrix biology (particularly with respect to components of the elastic fiber and matricellular proteins), cell-matrix interactions, matrix modulation of growth-factor signaling, non-invasive reporters of matrix turnover, three-dimensional biological scaffolds, and vascular engineering.

Multiple opportunities for collaboration are available for future lines of research. Potential topics of interest include: 1) Designing novel degradable scaffolds functionalized with matricellular protein domains to guide the behavior of host cells (adhesion, migration, differentiation) 2) Using cellular “reporter” technologies to optimize ECM remodeling in the context of a dynamic chemical/mechanical environment (e.g. varying growth factors, stretching regimes) 3) Improving decellularization techniques to preserve an ECM rich in matricellular proteins; thereby enhancing downstream remodeling and recellularization 4) Establishing three-dimensional models for studying vascular physiology and pathology 5) Modulating growth factor activity in the context of wound healing to reduce scar formation

Selected Publications

Krawiec JT*, Weinbaum JS*, Liao H-T, Ramaswamy AK, Pezzone DJ, Josowitz AD, D’Amore A, Rubin JP, Wagner WR, Vorp DA. In Vivo Functional Evaluation of Tissue Engineered Vascular Grafts Fabricated Using Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells from High- Cardiovascular Risk Populations. Tissue Eng Part A. 22(9-10):765-75 (2016) *=equal contribution Krawiec JT, Liao H-T, Kwan L, D’Amore A, Weinbaum JS, Rubin JP, Wagner WR, Vorp DA. Evaluation of the Stromal Vascular Fraction of Adipose Tissue as the Basis for a Stem Cell-Based Tissue Engineered Vascular Graft. J Vasc. Surg. 66(3):883-890 (2017)

Smooth muscle cells (pictured) and fibroblasts are experts at assembling an extracellular matrix rich in elastic fibers (red). Using methods that we are developing to monitor elastic fiber production noninvasively, we are increasing the production of elastic fibers in tissue-engineered arteries.