Kyumin Whang, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry

Division of Biomaterials

Location:	DTL, Room 2.549U
Phone:	(210) 567-3674
Fax:	(210) 567-3669
E-mail:	whang@uthscsa.edu

Research Interests:
The major thrust of the research conducted in my laboratory is the development of three-dimensional biodegradable scaffolds for tissue engineering. This includes the development and optimization of a patented emulsion freeze-drying process to fabricate such scaffolds. Characteristics to be optimized include: scaffold microarchitecture (median pore size, porosity, specific surface area and pore shape) for different tissues to be regenerated; the ability to incorporate bioactive factors and drugs to induce tissue regeneration as well as promote wound healing; and control drug release kinetics to best enhance the regenerative and healing effect. Projects include: assessment of optimal scaffold microarchitecture for bone and cartilage in vitro and in vivo; development of scaffolds for cell transplantation therapy; development of antimicrobial agent delivery scaffolds for treatment of periodontal disease; assessment of the optimal microarchitecture for bone regeneration in aged patients; assessment of the optimal microarchitecture for bone regeneration in osteoporotic patients; and, the delivery of bone morphogenetic protein for healing bony defects.

Unique Technical and Clinical Research Capabilities/Instrumentation:
Patented emulsion freeze-drying process to fabricate three-dimensional biodegradable scaffolds, custom-designed freeze-dryer capable of freeze-drying methylene chloride, a sterile processing room, and 3-D digital deconvolution fluorescence microscopy, and mercury intrusion porosimetry to assess microarchitecture.

Publications:
Book:
K. Whang and S.L. McCoy. Biodegradable Materials Module, Materials World Modules, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 1997.

Journal Articles:
K. Whang, C.H. Thomas, and K.E. Healy."A Novel Method to Fabricate Bioabsorbable Scaffolds."Polymer, 36(4):837-842, 1995.

D. Elenz, K. Whang, C. Thomas, E. Nam, D. Tsai, K. Healy, G. Nuber, M. Bowen."Treatment of Experimental Bone Defects with Porous Bioabsorbable Copolymer Scaffolds."Northwestern University Medical School, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Journal, 1:12-21, 1996.

K. Whang, D.C. Tsai, E.K. Nam, M. Aitken, S.M. Sprague, P. Patel, and K.E. Healy."Ectopic Bone Formation via rhBMP-2 Delivery from Porous Bioabsorbable Polymer Scaffolds."Journal of Biomedical Materials Research, 42(4): 491-499, 1998.

K. Whang, D.R. Elenz, E.K. Nam, D.C. Tsai, C.H. Thomas, G.W. Nuber, F.H. Glorieux, R. Travers, S.M. Sprague, and K.E. Healy."Engineering Bone Regeneration Using Bioabsorbable Scaffolds with Novel Microarchitecture."Tissue Engineering, 5(1): 35-51, 1999

K. Whang, T.K. Goldstick, and K.E. Healy."A Biodegradable Polymer Scaffold for Delivery of Osteotropic Factors." In Press, Biomaterials.

Patent:
"A Novel Method to Fabricate Porous Bioabsorbable Scaffolds Useful for Controlled Delivery of Protein-Based Drugs and Tissue Regeneration." Patent Issued March, 1998.

Key Words:
tissue engineering, emulsion freeze-drying process, biodegradable materials, controlled drug delivery, bone regeneration, tissue regeneration, three-dimensional scaffolds, implants, microarchitecture, pore size, cell transplantation, Taguchi experimental design, mercury intrusion porosimetry.