J. Kent Leach

Department of Biomedical Engineering

Research: Our research is rooted in the general area of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. It is well known that the normal formation and repair of human organ systems is the result of a complex series of intra- and extracellular events culminating in functional tissue. While advances have been made by administering a single stimulus (biomimetic material, growth factor, or a single cellular population), it is my conviction that presenting multiple stimuli is essential for tissue regeneration and that a multidisciplinary approach is necessary. The primary focus of the laboratory is to capitalize on the application of combinatorial stimuli to promote tissue formation and repair. Our research efforts are largely motivated by determining the appropriate identity, magnitude, and duration to present these signals for optimal tissue formation. Our specific research interests relate to sustained drug delivery using various pharmaceutical approaches, development of composite biomaterials which promote integration with host tissues and direct cellular behavior, exploration of cell behavior (somatic, progenitor, and stem cells) and the role of cell-cell interactions during tissue formation, and developing an improved understanding of the physiological environment during normal and disease states. This highly interdisciplinary research has significant translational components, as we are constantly aware of how our efforts may be effectively implemented for patient care.

Webpage: http://www.bme.ucdavis.edu/profiles/leach.html
Email: jkleach@ucdavis.edu