Andrew Putnam

Dr. Putnam's overall research interests are in the area of cell and tissue engineering. In contrast to the empirical approaches utilized in this field over the past decade to engineer relatively simple tissues (e.g., skin), Dr. Putnam's laboratory seeks to develop rigorous design criteria for future generations of functional engineered tissues. These design criteria are based on a quantitative and predictive understanding of the signaling events induced by a cell's interactions (both chemical and mechanical) with its surrounding extracellular matrix.

Specifically, Dr. Putnam's efforts are focused on understanding the mechanisms by which integrins (a class of cell adhesion receptors) and the cytoskeleton (a complex protein polymer network within all eukaryotic cells) communicate when cells are presented with either a different physical environment (i.e., following application of an external mechanical strain) or a different chemical environment (i.e. attached to a different protein substrate). The role of a class of small GTP-binding proteins (the Rho GTPases) in regulating this communication is under investigation.

While such basic science studies may resemble those performed in cell/molecular biology laboratories, the engineering element of Dr. Putnam's research is to directly apply findings from these studies to develop biomaterials with specific chemical and physical properties. These biomaterials will be used to define optimal substrate characteristics that selectively support cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, or differentiation. These novel substrates may then prove useful for regenerative medicine applications, and as tools to understand misregulation of signaling in numerous pathological conditions, including cancer.