The Children's Surgical Research Laboratory
Children's Surgical Research Program

Located in a brand new research building on the Stanford University campus, the 14,000 sq. ft. Children's Surgical Research laboratory is fully equipped for cellular, molecular, and animal research. Under the guidance of Dr. Michael T. Longaker, the laboratory investigates the fundamentals of bone and soft-tissue biology with application towards tissue engineering and regeneration. For example, the bone group studies models of endogenous bone tissue engineering in order to develop a molecular and cellular "blueprint" of successful osteogenesis. These models include cranial suture fusion, mandibular distraction osteogenesis, and immature calvarial re-ossification. Using such models, we are trying to understand how the body builds bone naturally, so that we can manipulate this complex system to precisely regulate bone formation in a variety of clinical situations.

In addition to the bone research, the laboratory also investigates soft-tissue wound healing. For example, we are learning how early gestational fetal skin heals without a scar in order to reduce or eliminate scaring in children and adults. We are also investigating the molecular mechanism of pathologic scar formation. More than 2 billion people worldwide are at risk for keloid formation (pathologic scar) following any surgical procedures or even something as simple as ear piercing. Since present treatments do little to alleviate these large, thick, disfiguring scars, we are trying to develop biologically-based therapies to prevent keloids from forming.

This is an exciting time for our group. While many outstanding members have recently joined our team, we are going to continue to expand in the coming months. Moreover, as current projects come to fruition, we are excited to begin testing our new therapeutic strategies. Since basic and applied research will often produce interestingly unexpected results, we are constantly trying to refine our hypotheses and provide new approaches to solve tissue engineering problems. This is a promising time for inductive surgery and tissue engineering and the anticipation is keeping us up late at night. If you have questions, comments or collaborative suggestions, please don't hesitate to contact us.