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David M. Lynn
Associate Professor
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| David M. Lynn |
| David M. Lynn Associate Professor
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| 1008 Engineering Hall 1415 Engineering Drive Madison, WI 53706-1691 |
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Tel: 608/262-1086 Fax: 608/262-5434 E-mail: dlynn@engr.wisc.edu |
Our group uses the principles of chemistry, engineering, and biology to design materials-based approaches to important problems in the biomedical, pharmaceutical, and health-related fields. Our research is conducted in a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative environment that provides opportunities for students with backgrounds and/or interests in chemistry, engineering, biology, materials science, medicine, and the pharmaceutical sciences.
We use new concepts in chemical synthesis and polymer science to design new materials for biomedical applications such as gene delivery, controlled release, and tissue engineering. Traditionally, biomaterials research has relied heavily on materials developed for non-biomedical applications. More recently, the design of materials that are specifically tailored to meet the needs of individual applications has helped to fuel the enormous growth seen in the health care industry. As one example, the sales of controlled-release pharmaceutical formulations alone (which have depended heavily on the development of new functional, biocompatible materials) now exceed $20 billion a year.
Within the context of a particular problem, we seek to understand: 1) how control over structure at the molecular level influences material properties, and 2) how subtle changes in material properties affect interactions with biological systems. The first goal takes advantage of advances in the chemical sciences, particularly in the areas of organic chemistry, polymer synthesis, and materials characterization. Toward the second goal, we are actively engaged in the in vitro and in vivo evaluation of our materials in our own laboratory and work closely with other groups and members of the biotech industry to identify new strategies and opportunities.
How do subtle changes in polymer structure affect the efficiency or mechanism through which cells internalize and process nanoparticles for gene delivery? How does the structure of a material affect the release rates of encapsulated drugs, or influence the attachment, proliferation, and differentiation of different cell types? A fundamental understanding of materials properties and the structure/activity relationships that characterize new biomaterials is essential to the design, engineering, and application of new therapeutic systems. We use a mixture of hypothesis-driven and discovery-oriented techniques (see project summaries) to synthesize new classes of polymers and develop approaches that could accelerate the rate at which new materials are discovered for clinical applications.
While our interests lie broadly at the interface of materials with biological systems, the techniques, materials, concepts, and approaches we use frequently spill over into projects in adjacent areas of chemistry, engineering, and materials science.
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Copyright 2008 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System Date last modified: 30-Oct-2008 Content by: dlynn@engr.wisc.edu Accessibility Web services |