Areas of Research
![Silk research is integral to many projects in the Kaplan Lab at Tufts University](https://sites.tufts.edu/kaplanlab/files/2024/04/pexels-carmen-soler-759248458-18877232-scaled.jpg)
Biopolymer Engineering
Using microbially-derived and regenerated proteins/starches, the Kaplan Lab is engineering novel biopolymers for sustainable biomaterials and biomedical applications.
![The Kaplan Lab at Tufts University's initial work in Cell Ag focused largely on Bovine (Cow) cells.](https://sites.tufts.edu/kaplanlab/files/2024/04/anand-thakur-y0dSeflqUWo-unsplash-scaled-e1713992427398.jpg)
Cellular Agriculture
Cellular agriculture revolutionizes the production of agricultural commodities that would otherwise come from traditional agriculture, by generating these commodities from cells. Our lab is a pioneer in the field, focused on differentiation of muscle cells, flavorings, and both cell line and media development.
![An image of chiotsan scaffolds made in the Kaplan Lab at Tufts University](https://sites.tufts.edu/kaplanlab/files/2024/04/cell-ag-conference.jpg)
Tissue Engineering
We seek to develop novel tissue engineering techniques enabling the repair and enhancement of damaged tissues, while also creating methodologies to effectively model these processes.
![A 3D printer like those used in the Kaplan Lab at Tufts University](https://sites.tufts.edu/kaplanlab/files/2024/04/pexels-jakubzerdzicki-19588204-scaled.jpg)
Biomedical Devices
The Kaplan Lab utilizes the unique and robust material properties of silk to produce a variety of scaffolds and medical devices. Techniques such as thermopressing, 3D printing, and molding can create a variety of constructs with tailorable properties.
![Neuroscience research in the Kaplan Lab at Tufts University](https://sites.tufts.edu/kaplanlab/files/2024/02/200416_alzheimers_lg.jpg)
Neuroscience and Neurobiology
Our neuroscience research utilizes tissue engineering and stem cell techniques to investigate molecular pathways, cellular changes, and neural circuit defects in disorders like traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease.
Publication Highlights
![Graphical abstract from the publication Silk-protein-based gradient hydrogels with multimode reprogrammable shape changes for biointegrated devices published by the Kaplan Lab](https://sites.tufts.edu/kaplanlab/files/2024/04/pnas.2305704120unfig01-scaled.jpg)
Silk-protein-based gradient hydrogels with multimode reprogrammable shape changes for biointegrated devices
PNAS (2023)
![Graphical abstract from the publication Cultivated Meat from Aligned Muscle Layers and Adipose Layers Formed from Glutenin Films published by the Kaplan Lab](https://sites.tufts.edu/kaplanlab/files/2024/04/images_large_ab3c01500_0006.jpeg)
Cultivated Meat from Aligned Muscle Layers and Adipose Layers Formed from Glutenin Films
ACS Biomaterials Science Engineering (2024)
![Graphical abstract from the publication Multifunctional silk vinyl sulfone-based hydrogel scaffolds for dynamic material-cell interactions published by the Kaplan Lab](https://sites.tufts.edu/kaplanlab/files/2024/04/1-s2.0-S0142961223002090-gr4_lrg-scaled.jpg)
Multifunctional silk vinyl sulfone-based hydrogel scaffolds for dynamic material-cell interactions
Biomaterials (2023)