Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine Lab
Advancing Children’s Medicine Through InnovationÌýÌý
The Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine (TERM) Lab at ¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· Children's in Delaware Valley transforms children's lives through innovative engineering-based solutions. We aim to help kids who are born with conditions that will require complex surgeries. Our goal is simple: Give these children the best possible chance at a healthy life.
Our multidisciplinary team of engineers, experts in data science and AI, and experienced doctors develops new approaches with the goal of fewer surgeries and better outcomes for kids.
Our groundbreaking work in cerebral palsy (CP) has revealed how this condition affects nerve connections in muscles, and we are investigating new ways to identify CP earlier in a child’s life. Our advances will bring hope to families, as earlier detection and treatment can prevent many physical challenges.
We're also developing new solutions for kids who need cardiovascular surgery. Our patented injected biomaterial technology protects blood vessels and supports healing, potentially reducing the need for additional procedures and improving long-term outcomes.
Moving forward, we’re interested in creating personalized treatments that can be tailored to each child's unique needs. Through advanced technologies like specialized biomaterials and stem cell applications, we hope to turn the scientific discoveries in our lab today into better treatments for tomorrow.
Principal Investigator
Robert E. Akins, PhD
Principal Scientist
Executive Director, ¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· Research Career Development & Education
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR RESEARCH
- Research Interests
- Notable Projects
- Outcomes & Impact
- Partnerships
Our Areas of Focus
Understanding & Diagnosing Cerebral Palsy
We create innovative approaches to address critical challenges facing children with cerebral palsy. Our research uncovers fundamental mechanisms involved in the onset and development of CP. Using advanced epigenetic and AI-based strategies, we seek to develop new diagnostic tools and therapeutic targets.
Our team of researchers, neonatologists, neurologists, therapists, and surgeons combines molecular biology, AI, and clinical expertise to identify blood-based biomarkers for early diagnosis and to understand the disrupted function of muscle and muscle stem cells in CP. Together, we hope to translate these findings into practical diagnostic tools and treatments to improve outcomes for children with CP.
Advanced Materials for Blood Vessel Surgery
While blood vessel surgeries are generally successful, many children have complications when vessels become narrow or stiff over time, often leading to problems that need additional surgeries.
Our team of heart specialists, surgeons, and engineers is working to develop special injectable materials that help protect and heal blood vessels after surgery. These materials act like a protective sleeve around blood vessels, helping prevent problems and reducing the need for additional surgeries. In the future, we hope that the flexibility and strength of these materials can be adjusted to each patient's needs, improving surgical outcomes and recovery.Ìý
Recent Research Highlights
Epigenetic Biomarkers in Cerebral Palsy
Our team seeks to develop an epigenetic biomarker platform to improve the diagnosis of spastic cerebral palsy. Our long-term goal is to deploy a DNA methylation-based blood test for spastic CP that identifies individuals in the first weeks of life.
Satellite Cell Function in Cerebral Palsy
Children with CP have fewer satellite cells (muscle stem cells) in their muscles, which may contribute to the impaired muscle growth and contractures that are characteristic of CP. Our team is investigating the subpopulations of satellite cells and their potential roles in the motor dysfunction associated with CP.
Role of Circular RNAs in Cerebral Palsy
Circular RNAs are members of the functional non-coding RNA family whose functions include sequestration of miRNAs, regulation of splicing and transcription, and regulation of gene expression. Our team is investigating the role of circular RNAs in the proliferation and differentiation of satellite cells in spastic CP.
Biomaterials to Protect Skeletonized Blood Vessels
Our team is developing methods for protecting skeletonized blood vessels from biomechanical injury and cellular changes through the application of biocompatible hydrogels.
How We’re Making a Difference
Key findings from our lab include:
- Providing the first proof that nerve-muscle connections were altered in people with spastic cerebral palsy.
- Pioneering the use of machine-learning AI to show that epigenetic analysis of blood and muscle may be helpful in diagnosing spastic cerebral palsy.
- Receiving a patent for a low-cost, easy-to-use injectable device that can be surgically placed around the outside of a weak blood vessel to provide support, to control cell responses, and to help with long-term healing.
Awards & Recognition
Researchers at ¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· are often recognized for their exceptional contributions to pediatric research. Our team’s passion to advance children’s health and wellbeing is celebrated in these recent honors:
- Delaware Junior Investigators’ Network (2024):ÌýMentoring Excellence Award, Akins, R.
- American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (2022):ÌýBest Scientific Poster Award, Romero, B.
- American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (2019):ÌýBest Scientific Poster Award, Lee, S.
- ¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· Children’s Health (2014):ÌýResearcher of the Year, Akins, R.
- Society for Neuroscience Delaware Chapter (2013):ÌýNeuroscientist of the Year, Akins, R.
Research Partners
We expand our knowledge and leverage diverse perspectives with partnerships and collaborations within and outside our field of study.
Internal Collaborations
Within the ¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· system, we’ve established robust cross-disciplinary research partnerships with:
- Cardiology:ÌýCarissa M. Baker-Smith, MD, MPHÌýand Shubhika Srivastava, MD
- Orthopedics:ÌýWade Shrader, MD
- Neurology:ÌýElizabeth Wright-Jin, MD
External Partners
Moving beyond our walls, we collaborate with scientific leaders from other institutions. This expands our reach and advances innovation for the collective good of children everywhere. We currently work with professionals from the University of Delaware:
- Ìý
Research in Context
Our labs contribute to research that informs pediatric care, working in alignment with research centers and focused areas of scientific study at ¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ·.
Cardiac Center, Delaware Valley
CLINICAL CARE
Pediatric cardiology, heart surgery, and transplantation at ¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· Children’s Hospital, Delaware and throughout Greater Philadelphia.
Cardiac Research
RESEARCH AREA
Our researchers study congenital and acquired heart conditions to advance pediatric cardiology through innovation in diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.
Neonatology
CLINICAL CARE
Expert intensive care for premature and critically ill newborns at ¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· Children’s hospitals in Delaware and Florida.
Neuroscience Center, Delware Valley
CLINICAL CARE
Pediatric neurology, epilepsy care, and neurodevelopmental services at ¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· Children’s Hospital, Delaware and throughout Greater Philadelphia.
Neuroscience Research
RESEARCH AREA
We investigate brain development and neurological disorders to advance pediatric neuroscience through collaboration and translational science.
Orthopedics Center, Delaware Valley
CLINICAL CARE
Pediatric orthopedic care including neuromuscular, spine, and limb conditions at ¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· Children’s Hospital, Delaware and throughout Greater Philadelphia.
Orthopedics Research
RESEARCH AREA
Our teams study bone, joint, and muscle development to improve care for children with orthopedic conditions through innovation and collaboration.