NEW YORK, June 14 – Clinical and basic science research findings of more than a dozen studies are being presented by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh’s McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine at the 48th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Artificial Internal Organs. The scientific sessions are June 13-15 at the New York Hilton Hotel. Highlights of the findings include:
"We are pleased to have members of our faculty present their work in a national forum such as this," said Alan J. Russell, Ph.D., director of the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine and professor of surgery, chemical and petroleum engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. "Research in bioengineered materials – such as artificial blood and organ systems – is the future of medicine."
Other McGowan Institute faculty will be presenting work that touches on decreasing the risk for blood clotting with artificial respiratory support and easing the physical burden of implantable left-ventricular assist devices.
The McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine (MIRM) was established in the summer of 2000 to realize the vast potential of tissue engineering and other techniques aimed at repairing damaged or diseased tissues and organs. Established by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC Health System, the McGowan Institute serves as a clearinghouse for the university’s leading scientists and clinical faculty who are working to develop tissue engineering, cellular therapies, biosurgery and artificial and biohybrid organ devices.
The Institute evolved from the former McGowan Center for Artificial Organ Development, which was established in 1992. The center was named after the late William G. McGowan, who as chief executive officer of MCI Communications underwent a successful heart transplant at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in 1987.
Members of the American Society for Artificial Internal Organs represent more than 30 professional degree specialties in more than 40 countries. They include people who work in government or academic institutions and hospital, industry or private research groups.
kr/06-11-02
CONTACT:
Michele D. Baum
Lisa Rossi
PHONE: 412-647-3555
FAX: 412-624-3184
E-MAIL:
BaumMD@msx.upmc.edu
RossiL@msx.upmc.edu