Biomaterials Development - Mark E. Van Dyke, Ph.D.
Biomaterials are an essential tool in regenerative medicine that provide the basis for growing and delivering cells, developing functional tissues, and engineering whole organs. At the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, we focus on replicating the native cellular environment to facilitate normal development of engineered tissues and organs. We emphasize the use of “intelligent” scaffolds that are able to interact with the cells of interest and direct the development of vascularized, innervated, functional tissues. Research conducted by Mark Van Dyke, Ph.D. makes use of naturally-derived structural proteins for biomaterials development. Using proteins such as collagen and keratin, Dr. Van Dyke creates matrices and scaffolds used for the regeneration of several tissue types. In the keratin system, proteins are purified from end-cut human hair and demonstrate several remarkable characteristics. First, keratins are highly biocompatible because they come from human tissue. Purified samples contain no cellular material so they do not elicit an immune response between individual donors. Second, certain keratins have an incredible ability for molecular self-assembly that results in the spontaneous formation of network structures. Self-assembly occurs on the nanometer scale and builds to the micron scale, resulting in homogenous, porous architectures that are conducive to growing tissues. Third, keratin proteins contain cellular-binding motifs that mimic the sites of cell attachment found in the native extracellular matrix. By leveraging these unique characteristics, we are creating inexpensive biomaterials for a host of biomedical applications. Our current research programs are focused on the use of keratin biomaterials for skin regeneration in acute full thickness wounds such as burns, scaffolds for guided nerve regeneration, and bone graft substitutes for healing contaminated sites of injury. Collaborating Departments include Orthopaedic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Molecular Medicine, and Biomedical Engineering.
Dr. Mark Van Dyke was born and raised in Michigan. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in chemistry from Central Michigan University in 1988. After several years as a Chemist for the Dow Chemical Company and the Dow Corning Corporation, he attended graduate school at the University of Cincinnati and obtained a Ph.D. in Materials Science from the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering in 1998. Upon graduation, he accepted a research position with Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) in San Antonio, TX. As a member of the Biomaterials Development group, Dr. Van Dyke managed research programs aimed at the development of novel biomaterials for tissue engineering and wound healing applications. After six years with SwRI, Dr. Van Dyke joined the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. He is currently an Assistant Professor and is cross-appointed to the Department of Biomedical Engineering. Dr. Van Dyke is the author of several papers and book chapters in the field of biomaterials, and the inventor of more than 30 national and international patents and patents pending.
Contact Information:
Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Medical Center Boulevard
Winston Salem, NC 27157
(336) 713-7266 office
(336) 713-7290 fax
mavandyk@wfubmc.edu