Karen J.L. Burg, Ph.D.
Hunter
Endowed Chair and
Professor of Bioengineering
B.S.
Chemical Engineering, 1990
North Carolina State University
M.S. Bioengineering, 1992 Clemson University University
Ph.D. Bioengineering, 1996 Clemson University
Postdoctorate, Tissue Engineering, 1998 Carolinas Medical Center
M.S. Bioengineering, 1992 Clemson University University
Ph.D. Bioengineering, 1996 Clemson University
Postdoctorate, Tissue Engineering, 1998 Carolinas Medical Center
Research Interests
Absorbable
Polymers and Tissue
Engineering
Email:
Office: 501-4 Rhodes Research Center
Phone: 864.656.6462
Office: 501-4 Rhodes Research Center
Phone: 864.656.6462
Honors, Awards, and Professional Activities
Invited Presenter, National Academy of Engineering Indo-America Frontiers of Engineering Symposium, 2008Fellow, American Council on Education, 2006Fellow, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, 2006AORF Research Prize, Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (AO) Foundation, Switz., 2006The Governor's Young Scientist Award for Excellence in Scientific Research, 2006Invited Presenter, 4th Annual National Academies Keck Futures Initiative Conference, 2006National Society for Histotechnology C.F.A. Culling Lecture Award, 2006Clemson University College of Engineering and Science Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, 20062005 Clemson University Board of Trustees Award for Faculty ExcellenceInvited Presenter, 3rd Annual National Academies Keck Futures Initiative Conference, 2005Invited Presenter, Mammary Gland Biology Gordon Research Conference, 20052004 Clemson University Board of Trustees Award for Faculty ExcellenceDepartment of Defense Era of Hope Scholars Award, 20042003 Clemson University Board of Trustees Award for Faculty ExcellenceNamed to MIT Technology Review's TR100 Young Innovators List, 2003Invited Participant, National Academy of Engineering, Ninth Annual Symposium "Frontiers in 
Engineering", 20032003 Clemson University Outstanding Woman Faculty AwardInvited Presenter, National Academy of Sciences Annual Symposium "Frontiers of Science", 2002Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) recipient, 2002Invited Presenter, Biomaterials and Biocompatibility/Tissue Engineering Gordon Research Conference, 20012001 Clemson University Board of Trustees Award for Faculty ExcellenceNational Science Foundation Faculty Early Career (CAREER) Award recipient, 2001Current Research
Development of
Absorbable Systems
Absorbable materials are advantageous in that they
require no surgical retrieval after implantation, and, if
designed appropriately, they absorb gradually with
no lingering effects. Current projects include the
evaluation of absorbable bioelastic materials, as
well as the fabrication of absorbable materials conducive
to vascular ingrowth. Additionally, the basic absorption
mechanisms, such as autocatalytic effect, are investigated.
This work is supported by Clemson University as well
as the National Science Foundation.
Assessment
of Cellular Adhesion
The cell-cell interaction and the cell-biomaterial
interaction are both critical features of tissue
engineering. Current research projects involve the
development of customized polymeric substrates for
vascular tissue engineering. This involves the design
of bioreactor systems for vessel/valve development
and analysis of cellular behavior in flow chambers.
Related research efforts address the manipulation
of stem cells for soft tissue engineering. This work
is sponsored by DARPA.
Magnetic
Resonance Imaging
for Tissue Engineering
Application
Absorbable polymers can be very sensitive to histological
processing protocol. This effect is enhanced in tissue
engineering systems, which are often highly porous
with relatively low amounts of tissue. Noninvasive
methods of imaging are being developed to assess
tissue development within porous, absorbable systems,
both in vitro and in vivo. This work
is sponsored by the National Science Foundation and
is in conjunction with the Center
for in Vivo Microscopy laboratory at Duke University.
Development
of Orthopaedic and
Dental Tissue Engineering
Devices
Pore topography plays a critical role in the attachment
of cells to a porous substrate. Changes in pore size
and shape can radically affect the successful development
of tissue. This work is sponsored by the AO Foundation
and investigates novel methods of modulating pore
structure and designing absorbable systems specifically
for orthopaedic and dental applications.
Recent Publications
“Surface Patterning: Tool to Modulate Stem Cell Differentiation in an Adipose System”, A Chaubey, KJ Ross, MR Leadbetter, KJL Burg, Journal of Biomedical Materials Research, Part B: Applied Biomaterials, 84B(1):70-78, 2008.
“Extracellular Matrix Components as Modulators of Adult Stem Cell Differentiation in an Adipose System”, A Chaubey, KJL Burg, Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers, 23(1):20-37, 2008.
"Tissue Engineering, Breast”, C Gomillion, C Parzel, RL White, Jr., KJL Burg, in Encyclopedia of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering. Informa Healthcare, Taylor & Francis: New York, NY. 2007.
“Adapted Cryosectioning Method for Hydrogels Used in Regenerative Medicine”, CC Yang, L Jenkins, KJL Burg, Journal of Histotechnology, 30(3), 2007.
“In Vitro Regulation of Adipogenesis: Tunable Engineered Tissues”, CC Yang, SE Ellis, F Xu, KJL Burg, Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, 1(2):146-53, 2007.
