My research is focused on wound healing via gene therapy and healing environment changes. I collaborated with the Department of Dermatology, Children’s Hospital Boston to study the effects of adhesion molecules and growth factors on wound healing.
Research Scientist: Pejman Aflaki, M.D.
Clinical Research
Facial transplantation: I am the principal investigator of Face Transplantation program at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. We recently obtained IRB approval to perform Partial Face Transplantation in immunosuppressed patients at the Brigham and Women’s hospital. We have also an approved protocol to perform partial facial transplantation in healthy (non-immunosuppressed) patients suffering from severe facial disfigurement.
Bioethics in facial transplantation: with only four facial transplantation procedure performed worldwide, there is a lack of objective evidence surrounding some of the aspects of face transplantation. In collaboration with the laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience at the Boston Children’s Hospital, we have developed a model to investigate various dimensions of facial transplantation. By combining the digital manipulations of facial images and facial perception tasks, we have been investigating the appearance changes following partial face transplantation and its implications for the recipients and donors’ families. Using a similar technique, we have also been investigating some of the demographic considerations, in particular the age variable in matching the donors and recipients of partial facial transplantation. Further research in underway.
Basic Science Research
My research is focused on wound healing via gene therapy and healing environment changes. I collaborated with the Department of Dermatology, Children’s Hospital Boston to study the effects of adhesion molecules and growth factors on wound healing.
Chondrocytes and cartilage repair
We have developed a novel technique for implantation of autologous chondrocyte pellets seeded on a 2-dimensional rigid, smooth, and resorbable carrier of poly L-lactic acid (PLLA) and polyglycolic acid (PGA), commercially available as LactoSorb™. This technique is amenable to minimally-invasive application and can be a potential alternative to autologous chondrocyte transplantation. Prior to developing this model, we demonstrated that cartilaginous constructs enclosed in a resorbable template of LactoSorb, retain their viability and shape. Further research in underway.
Gene Therapy and Wound Healing
Gene transfer is an attractive therapeutic modality for the near future. Microseeding is currently the most efficient mechanical technique for in vivo gene transfer. I standardized and developed several new applications of the technique for internal organs, skin, and bone. I also demonstrated that the delivery of hBMP-2 (human bone morphogenetic protein) to the periosteum results in a greater amount of bone formation. Further research is underway.
Wound healing is triggered by multiple signals (cytokines, growth factors) released from stimulated cells. Genetic manipulation of the cells both in vivo and in vitro can accelerate wound healing. In our experiment with skin cell genetic manipulation, we found an increased production of growth factors and therefore a significant acceleration in wound healing. We also developed a unique method for skin cell harvesting and transplantation.
Wound Healing Environment
Skin regeneration is the most critical part of burn patients' recovery. By manipulating the skin wound environment, we can ensure that patients experience faster and better healing. In particular, I helped develop a wound chamber (currently being tested for marked use) that allows wounds to heal in a liquid environment. The liquid environment enables faster wound healing than any other treatment modality.
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