Thomas J Webster

Title : Introducing nanoporous metallic capsules for improved stem cell delivery and function

Abstract:

Traditionally, polymer capsules have been used and proposed for stem cell delivery to the body to treat numerous diseases due to their ease of manufacturing, low expense, and relative acceptance in the body. However, polymer capsules used for stem cell delivery have proven problematic due to a lack of neovascularization bringing nutrients to the cells and removing cellular waste as well as promoting inflammation which clogs capsule pores necessary for the stem cells to live. This study introduces through-porous nano metals as improved stem cell delivery devices. Specifically, complete through nano-pores were created in several metals (such as Ti and stainless steel) which were shown to reduce inflammation, promote neovascularization, and selectively release analogs of insulin (for diabetes applications) while restricting the passage of IgG (which would initiate an inflammatory response).  For some of the metallic membranes created, due to their nanoscale pore size, complete inhibition of IgG adsorption and infiltration was measured. Further modification of the surface of these metallic stem cell delivery devices to generate nanoscale roughness proved to inhibit inflammatory cell (such as macrophage) functions. Lastly, in vivo studies demonstrated greater neovascularization up to such metallic nanoporous membranes necessary to maintain encapsulated stem cell viability. In this manner, this in vitro and in vivo study introduced brand new unique through nanoporous metal stem cell delivery capsules that outperform existing polymers and, thus, may revolutionize the use of stem cell delivery for numerous diseases.

Audience Take Away:

• What is stem cell delivery  
• How one can improve stem cell delivery through nanotechnology 
• What is the future for the use of metallic nanoporous membranes in biomaterials and healthcare

Biography:

Thomas J. Webster’s (H index: 114; Google Scholar) degrees are in chemical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh (B.S., 1995; USA) and in biomedical engineering from RPI (Ph.D., 2000; USA). He has served as a professor at Purdue (2000-2005), Brown (2005-2012), and Northeastern (2012-2021; serving as Chemical Engineering Department Chair from 2012 - 2019) Universities and has formed over a dozen companies who have numerous FDA approved medical products currently improving human health.  He is currently helping those companies and serves as a professor at Hebei University of Technology, Saveetha University, Vellore Institute of Technology, UFPI, and others.  Dr. Webster has numerous awards including: 2020, World Top 2% Scientist by Citations (PLOS); 2020, SCOPUS Highly Cited Research (Top 1% Materials Science and Mixed Fields); 2021, Clarivate Top 0.1% Most Influential Researchers (Pharmacology and Toxicology); 2022, Best Materials Science Scientist by Citations (Research.com); and is a fellow of over 8 societies.  Prof. Webster has over 1,350 publications to his credit with over 53,000 citations. He is a current nominee for the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2023).