Abstract:
Damage to peripheral nerve and spinal cord tissue can have a devastating impact on the quality of life for individuals suffering from nerve injuries. Our research broadly encompasses analyzing and designing natural-based and electrically conducting biomaterials that can interface with neurons to stimulate and guide nerves to regenerate. This talk will specifically address our work on natural-based biomaterials for both peripheral nerve and spinal cord applications.

To foster peripheral nerve regeneration, we have focused on both “top down” and “bottom up” approaches. For our “top down” approach, we have developed natural acellular tissue grafts created by chemical processing of normal intact nerve tissue to preserve the microarchitecture of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and to eliminate the immune response by removing cell components. This research is the foundation for the Avance Nerve Graft from AxoGen, which is now widely used in clinics for peripheral nerve injuries. In a parallel “bottom up” approach, we have developed advanced hyaluronan-based scaffolds for nerve regeneration applications. Hyaluronic acid (HA; also known as hyaluronan) is a non-sulfated, high molecular weight, glycosaminoglycan found in all mammals; it is a major component of the extracellular matrix in the nervous system and plays a significant role in wound healing and tissue regeneration. Our group has devised novel techniques to process HA into forms for use in peripheral nerve repair applications. For example, we have explored advanced laser-based processes, in situ crystallization, and magnetic particle templating to create microarchitecture within the hyaluronan materials to mimic the native basal lamina of nerve cells and thus to provide physical and chemical guidance features for regenerating axons. These materials have shown promise for supporting peripheral nerve repair after acute transection injury and for promoting regeneration of axons into close proximity of microelectrodes for potential prosthetics applications.

For spinal cord injury (SCI) applications, we have engineered injectable biomaterials for less invasive application in crush injuries, which are the most prominent form of SCI. In this work, we have solubilized decellularized peripheral nerve tissue to create in situ gelling ECM hydrogels. We show that these materials serve as effective therapeutic agents for SCI in rats and are promising delivery agents for cell transplantation applications.

Bio:
Christine E. Schmidt, Ph.D., is the J. Crayton Pruitt Family Professor and Department Chair for the University of Florida Department of Biomedical Engineering. Prior to joining UF in 2013, she was at the University of Texas at Austin in Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering and was one of the founding faculty members of the UT BME Department. 

Dr. Schmidt's research is focused on developing new biomaterials and biomaterial composites (e.g., natural material scaffolds, processed tissues, electronic polymer composites) that can be used to physically guide and stimulate regenerating nerves and the healing of other tissues. Her work is the foundation for the Avance Nerve Repair graft from Axogen and VersaWrap tissue protector from her affiliated start-up company, Alafair Biosciences. Dr. Schmidt has received many major research awards and recognitions, including the Clemson Award for Applied Research from the Society for Biomaterials, induction into the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame, and election to the Florida Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida. Dr. Schmidt is a past President for the American Institute for Medical & Biological Engineering (AIMBE). She is a Fellow of AIMBE, the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), the American Society for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering (IAMBE), and the International Union of Societies for Biomaterials Science and Engineering (FBSE/IUSBSE).

Under Dr. Schmidt’s leadership as Department Chair, UF BME’s undergraduate program first became ABET accredited in Fall 2019 and is now ranked #13 among public BME UG programs (U.S. News & World Report, USNWR). The department’s graduate program is currently ranked #17 among public BME graduate programs by USNWR, climbing more than 20 spots since 2013. Dr. Schmidt has increased the number of women faculty from 2 when she arrived in 2013 to 15 and the number of URM faculty from 1 to 6 (UF BME faculty is now 52% women, 21% URM).