Contact Info

Biography

Education:
Ph.D., Chemical and Biological Engineering, Drexel University, 2007
B.S., Chemical Engineering, Drexel University, 2003

Impactful Research Areas:
Health  
    Biomedical
Sustainability
    Sustainable Materials & Processes

Research Expertise: 
Biomaterials, Tissues Engineering, Biofabrication  

My research group specializes in merging bioprinting techniques with advanced biomaterial strategies to enhance the three-dimensional spatial organization of cells within tissue engineering scaffolds. We achieve this by employing temperature-driven cell actuation, which leads to the self-organization of cells into columnar structures and facilitates the fusion of cells and organoids in straight-line formations. Our particular focus lies in utilizing this innovative approach to tackle the pressing challenges within the realms of musculoskeletal and neural tissue regeneration.

Professional Memberships:
American Institute of Chemical Engineering
Orthopaedic Research Society
eCM International Review Panel (IRP)

Recent Publications:
Vernengo, A.J., Bumann, H., Kluser, N., Soubrier, A., Šećerović, A., Gewiess, J., Jansen, J.U., Neidlinger-Wilke, C., Wilke, H.J. and Grad, S., 2023. Chemonucleolysis combined with dynamic loading for inducing degeneration in bovine caudal intervertebral discs. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 11, p.1178938. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1178938

Peng, G., Jiang, N., Mini, C., Miklosic, G., Songsong, Z., Vernengo, A.J, D'Este, M., Grad, S., Alini, M., Li, Z., 2023. Decellularized extracellular matrix particle-based hydrogels as biomaterials and bioinks for cartilage regeneration. Journal of Materials Science and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmst.2023.03.019

Panebianco, C.J., Dutta, P., Frost, J.R., Huang, A., Kim, O.S., Iatridis, J.C., Vernengo, A.J. and Weiser, J.R., 2022. Teaching Tissue Repair Through an Inquiry-Based Learning Bioadhesives Module. Biomedical Engineering Education, pp.1-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43683-022-00087-y

Christiani, T.*, Mys, K., Dyer, K., Kadlowec, J., Iftode, C. and Vernengo, A.J., 2021. Using embedded alginate microparticles to tune the properties of in situ forming poly (N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐graft‐chondroitin sulfate bioadhesive hydrogels for replacement and repair of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc. JOR Spine, p.e1161. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsp2.1161

Vernengo, A.J., Grad, S., Eglin, D., Alini, M. and Li, Z., 2020. Bioprinting tissue analogues with decellularized extracellular matrix bioink for regeneration and tissue models of cartilage and intervertebral discs. Advanced Functional Materials, 30(44), p.1909044. https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201909044