Prashant N. Kumta, PhD

Edward R. Weidlein Endowed Chair Professor, Bioengineering; Chemical and Petroleum Engineering; Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh

Research Interests

The Kumta laboratory research covers four main areas: 1. Synthesis and characterization of advanced resorbable and non-resorbable biomaterials (metals, ceramics, polymers and composites) for hard and soft tissue engineering. 2. Synthesis and characterization of novel non-viral gene, growth factor and drug delivery systems. 3. Additive manufacturing of metals, ceramics, and polymers (natural and synthetic) for tissue engineering applications. 4. Development of biosensor platforms for blood based biomarker detection for various disease states and conditions. We also collaborate with investigators studying various pediatric, transplantation and orthopedic conditions. Our focus is on development of novel materials for scaffolds, drug/growth factor/gene delivery, stem cell engineering, and implant applications while also understanding the materials-tissue and cell interfaces.

Technique Expertise or Resources to share

Biomaterials synthesis, processing and characterization. Techniques involve solid state processing, low and high temperature chemical processing, molecular design of precursors to various biomaterials synthesis, pulsed laser deposition (PLD), RF sputtering, plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition and atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition techniques to bulk and thin film materials development as well as additive manufacturing techniques of liquid injection and extrusion processes to scaffold fabrication. Characterization methods involve FTIR, high resolution XRD, Surface area analysis, density measurements, and thermal analysis (thermogravimetry and calorimetery). In-vitro cell and tissue culture analysis.

Keywords

Biomaterials, additive manufacturing, biometals, bioceramics, scaffolds, delivery systems, biosensors