Muscle Tissue Regeneration Research at the McGowan Institute

The lack of available functional substitutes for native skeletal muscle tissue hampers the reconstruction of lost tissue due to:

• Traumatic injury
• Tumor ablation
• Birth defects

Research Shows Promise of Restoring Damaged Muscles and Limbs

Initial studies have focused on the use of small intestinal submucosa (SIS) scaffolds to replace partial lost calf muscle and Achilles tendon.

These studies have shown that SIS is able to stimulate restoration of:

• Major muscle mass.
• Functionality to the junction between the muscle and tendon of a damaged limb.

This new muscle growth includes a mixed muscle fiber type much like the lost native muscle. It's able to both contract and react to nerve impulses.

McGowan Institute researchers in muscle tissue regrowth include:

• Stephen Badylak, MD
• J. Peter Rubin, MD
• Fabrisia Ambrosio, PhD
• Neill Turner, PhD
• Michael Boninger, MD