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Kaplan Lab Honored at Tufts’ Annual Inventor Recognition Event

The Kaplan Lab was well-represented at the recent FY2024 Tufts Annual Inventor Recognition Event, with David Kaplan and two of his research faculty, Vincent Fitzpatrick and Jugal Sahoo, receiving awards for their innovative work. David Kaplan was recognized for his work on an immortalized bovine cell line for cellular agriculture research. He also received awards alongside Vincent Fitzpatrick for biomedical device manufacturing and with Jugal Sahoo for a silk-based artificial mucin with therapeutic, cosmetic, and food applications. To learn more, check out the article below! Citation: Tufts Annual Inventor Recognition Event FY2024 (Vice Provost for Research News)

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

New 3D Printing Course Pushes Medical Frontiers

A new course, “3D Printing the Human Body,” created by Kaplan Lab Research Faculty member Vincent Fitzpatrick, is providing students with invaluable hands-on experience at the forefront of biomedical engineering. The class allows students to work with a variety of bioprinters and learn from guest lecturers who are leaders in the field. From printing vertebrae to designing medical devices, the course is inspiring the next generation of innovators to think creatively about the future of medicine. Read more about the class and student perspectives in the article below! Citation: 3D-printing class pushes students to frontier of 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.