Regenerative Engineering Training Program (RE-Training)

Summary for the Regenerative Engineering Training Program
A major health challenge that our society faces is premature death and morbidity associated with the
shortage of healthy donor tissues or organs for transplantation and the limited regenerative capacity of
our body due to serious injury or disease. Research that entails the convergence of disparate disciplines
to create new frameworks, tools, and a new common language is positioned to better enable solutions
to complex problems such as the aforementioned one. Regenerative engineering is the convergence
of advanced materials science, stem cell and developmental biology, physical sciences, and
translational medicine to reconstruct or regenerate complex tissues and organs. The objective of this
training program is to offer the curriculum and environment needed to train the next generation of
convergence researchers that are versed in the development and use of regenerative engineering
solutions. Specifically, program graduates will have the capacity to develop scientific, technical, and
clinical knowledge and skills that will enable them to recognize and solve challenges associated with
the restoration of tissue and organ function. Core innovative elements of the program include: 1) clinical
immersion rotations to gain direct insight into organ failure and tissue reconstruction challenges that
afflict patients and physicians; 2) a 3-member mentorship team that includes 1 clinical, 1 life/physical
sciences, and 1 engineering faculty member; 3) internships at companies with product development
expertise involving regenerative engineering; and 4) experiential courses to learn essential
experimental techniques. The program, housed in the Center for Advanced Regenerative Engineering
at Northwestern University, will be a joint effort involving diverse faculty from the schools of engineering,
arts and sciences, and medicine. Northwestern University has a long history of transdisciplinary
collaborations and has the resources and pedagogical tools to establish a unique national program to
train new leaders. Trainees will be mentored by preceptors working in molecular and stem cell biology,
nanotechnology, additive manufacturing, regenerative engineering, molecular biophysics, biomaterials,
bioelectronics, surgery, and translational medicine. Examples of ongoing collaborations include
programs for the regeneration of bladder, bone, blood vessels, pancreas, liver, kidney, skin, muscle,
the immune system, and nerves. We propose to train 3 pre-doctoral trainees in year 1 and 6 trainees
for each of years 2-5. Trainees will be selected from applicants in the department of Biomedical
Engineering, including those from the medical scientist training program. We expect to produce the
next generation of regenerative engineering thought leaders that are competent in convergence
research aimed at tackling the aforementioned societal health challenges and improving patient
outcomes.

Grant Number: 5T32EB031527-05
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: Guillermo Ameer