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Ying Chen Awarded USDA NIFA Grant

The Kaplan Lab is excited to celebrate Research Faculty member Dr. Ying Chen on her recent grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Dr. Chen will be utilizing our lab’s human intestinal models to investigate the safety and nutritional profile of cultivated meat, providing essential data for this growing industry. This award is a wonderful recognition of her expertise and the impactful research being done here to advance the future of food. Citation: Chen awarded USDA NIFA grant

Kaplan Lab Alumni Joins the Tufts Department of Biomedical Engineering as an Assistant Professor

The Kaplan Lab is thrilled to welcome back Dr. Andrew Stout, a former PhD student, who will be joining the Tufts faculty as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. Dr. Stout, who also co-founded Deco Labs with fellow Kaplan Lab alumni, brings extensive experience in cellular agriculture and a deep commitment to advancing the future of food. We are excited to see him inspire the next generation of researchers in this field. To learn more check out Dr. Stout’s appointment, check out the article below! Citation: Stout Joins the Department of Biomedical Engineering (Tufts University School of… Read More »Kaplan Lab Alumni Joins the Tufts Department of Biomedical Engineering as an Assistant Professor

Kaplan Lab Expertise Inspires Innovation in 3D Printing

Students in the “3D Printing the Human Body” course, taught by Kaplan Lab Research Faculty member Vincent Fitzpatrick, are developing groundbreaking solutions for medical challenges. Leveraging the lab’s expertise in biomaterials, students are creating everything from customized cartilage to resilient tendons, showcasing the power of 3D printing in healthcare. This hands-on course is shaping the next generation of biomedical engineers. To learn more, check out the article below! Citation: Cartilage, Tendons, and More—in the Palm of Your Hand (Tufts Now)

The Power of Collaboration: Transforming Modern Medicine with Silk

A long-standing collaboration between the Kaplan Lab and Fiorenzo Omenetto’s Silklab at Tufts is unlocking the vast potential of silk to revolutionize modern medicine. By combining their expertise, the teams are developing innovative silk-based materials for a wide range of biomedical applications, from repairing damaged vocal cords and bones to creating degradable medical devices like ear tubes that can deliver antibiotics. This powerful partnership highlights how interdisciplinary research can lead to groundbreaking solutions for complex medical challenges. To learn more, check out the article below! Citation: Silk Provides the Building Blocks to Transform Modern Medicine

David Kaplan Discusses the Evolving Landscape of Biomaterials Science

In an interview with the American Chemical Society, David Kaplan reflects on his role as Editor-in-Chief of ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering and how the journal serves as a home for groundbreaking research in biopolymer engineering and tissue engineering. He highlights the field’s exciting expansion into areas like 3D printing and computational design, while encouraging researchers to embrace interdisciplinary partnerships to build the synergy necessary for solving complex medical challenges. Citation: Interview with Editor-in-Chief of ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering, David L. Kaplan

Exploring the Limitless Potential of Silk in High-Tech and Medicine

In this presentation, David Kaplan and Fiorenzo Omenetto discuss their transformative research into “reverse engineering” silk into a versatile, water-based solution that serves as a foundation for a wide array of sustainable technologies. From biocompatible medical implants and non-invasive drug delivery systems to programmable green electronics and shelf-stable vaccine storage, their work showcases how this ancient protein can be reimagined to solve modern challenges in global health and environmental sustainability. Their collaborative efforts continue to push the boundaries of materials science, bridging the gap between nature’s strongest natural polymer and the next generation of high-tech applications.