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Vanderbilt Center for Stem Cell Biology (VCSCB)

Ethan Lippmann, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Associate Professor of Neurology
Director of Undergraduate Studies in Chemical Engineering

Research Description

Our fundamental goal is to model, understand, and ultimately treat human disease. One side of our lab is focused on development of model systems and discovery of fundamental neurovascular functions and disease mechanisms. The other side is focused on translational applications using hydrogels and drug delivery vehicles. Both sides interact intimately to carry out this multidisciplinary work.

Our lab journey began in the in vitro modeling space where we specialized in engineering models of the vascularized brain from human pluripotent stem cells. Thanks to many generous funders and excellent collaborators, we have branched into diverse investigations of neurovascular disease that leverage our engineered models as well as ex vivo and in vivo rodent models and human tissue samples. This approach allows us to conduct extremely comprehensive studies and lends confidence that our findings and conclusions have tangible relevance to human biology.

In recent years, based on our desire to translate our basic findings into potential disease treatment avenues, we have further expanded our efforts into drug delivery and regenerative medicine. Again with the assistance of our collaborative network, we are developing strategies to treat neurovascular disease using custom nanocarriers, synthetic proteins, and engineered cells. We are also developing a simple family of hydrogels that support the health/survival of encapsulate cells while also promoting rapid ingress of collateral vessels after in vivo delivery. We are excited about leveraging these hydrogels for tissue engineering and cell replacement therapies.

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