Location
2174 Lurie Biomedical Engineering
1101 Beal Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2110
Primary Website
Education
- BS in Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 2005
- PhD in Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, 2010
Biography
Brendon Baker is an associate professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan. He received a BS in Biomedical Engineering from Columbia and a PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania. He leads a vibrant research group focused on developing a deeper understanding of how the cellular microenvironment regulates fundamental biological processes including migration, proliferation, differentiation, and extracellular matrix synthesis. His group develops novel biomaterials and in vitro microsystems to study the mechanobiology underlying interactions between cells and their surroundings. His prior work has led to fundamental insights into disease processes as well as novel means to control cell-material interactions towards engineering organ replacements and regenerative therapies.
Research Interests
The Baker Lab studies how the structure and mechanics of the tissue microenvironment influence fundamental biological processes including cell migration, proliferation, and matrix synthesis. To do so, we develop tunable biomaterials that mimic the 3D and fibrous nature of native ECMs, can be dynamically remodeled by cells, and have the potential to be scaled to implantable tissues directly. Combined with molecular tools, stem cell technologies, live imaging, and microfabrication/microfluidic approaches, these materials help us to understand the physical interactions between cells and their surroundings. We apply mechanistic insights from these studies to improve the treatment of ECM-mediated diseases such as fibrosis and cancer and to engineer tissues for organ replacement therapies.
Dr. Baker is also part of CELL-MET, a multi-institutional National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center in Cellular Metamaterials (EEC-1647837). CELL-MET aims to grow functional and clinically significant heart tissue while simultaneously developing a talented and diverse workforce to tackle future challenges in tissue engineering.
Research Areas:
Bio-MEMS and Microfluidics, Bio-Micro Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering, Biomaterials, Biomechanics, Cancer, Cardiovascular, Molecular and Cellular Biomechanics, Skeletal Orthopaedics, Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine