Abstract
“Innate immune cells, particularly monocytes and macrophages, play a pivotal role in tissue regeneration, orchestrating blood vessel remodeling, activating local stem and progenitor cells, and directing tissue repair in musculoskeletal systems. Recent advancements in our understanding of the sphingolipid rheostat, which modulates cellular processes such as senescence, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, have opened up new avenues for designing immunoregenerative biomaterials that target specific subpopulations of monocytes and macrophages to promote tissue repair. This talk will delve into the complex interplay between distinct populations of monocytes and macrophages, their roles in various injury environments, and the impact of the sphingolipid rheostat on musculoskeletal regenerative potential. We will discuss intelligent biomaterial design strategies that harness local S1P signaling to modulate trained immunity phenotypes in myeloid cells through controlled delivery of bioactive lipids like S1P, thereby promoting optimal tissue repair and regeneration. As we explore the nexus of endothelium-protective S1P, immune training, and musculoskeletal regenerative potential, this presentation will offer valuable insights for researchers interested in immunology, vascular biology, and orthopedic biomaterials. Attendees can expect to learn about cutting-edge research that bridges the gaps between these fields and the potential for leveraging the sphingolipid rheostat to develop innovative regenerative therapies for musculoskeletal injuries and diseases.”
Bio
“Edward Botchwey received a B.S. degree in Mathematics from the University of Maryland at College Park in 1993 and both M.E. and Ph.D. degrees in Materials Science Engineering and Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 1998 and 2002, respectively. He is currently a Professor in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University. Dr. Botchwey is a former Ph.D. fellow of the National GEM Consortium, a former postdoctoral fellow of the UNCF-Merk Science Initiative, and a recipient of the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers from the National Institutes of Health and the Society for Biomaterials Mid-Career Award. Dr. Botchwey’s research focuses on how transient control of immune response using bioactive lipids can be exploited to control the trafficking of stem cells, enhance tissue vascularization, and resolve inflammation.”