Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2010

Mentor: Jeffrey Kenkel, MD
Department: Plastic Surgery Department
Room number: WA04.216
Mail Code: 9132
Phone number: 214-645-3112
E-mail: Jeffrey.Kenkel@utsouthwestern.edu
Project title: Delivery of Drugs and Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): N/A

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): 2010-0022; 2010-0016 Pending Approval

Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects) Animal-based.

Brief Description of Project:

The delivery of drugs has been problematic and a major effort has been underway to avoid the use of syringes. With our experience of lasers and the availability of new devices, microchannels or small holes can be introduced and remain open long enough for possible drug and stem cell delivery. We are performing a series of pilot studies to determine the efficacy and safety of this approach for specific drugs or stem cells.

The delivery of drugs and adipose-derived stem cells will be examined in the presence of various lasers that will provide microchannels for entrance into the dermis. Using existing IACAC approved protocols, this student will assist in acute drug delivery studies ( lidocanine and PDGF-B) and porcine adipose derived stem cells. The student will learn about animal stem cell isolation, labeling with BrdU and application to the skin with subsequent examination of the BrdU labeling within the dermal compartment. The student will perform the biopsying as well as histological staining using standard and immunohistological stains to access the "homing" of the stem cells as well as downstream consequences of specific drugs (PDGF-B; increased vascular arteries, increased fibroblast activity, etc). We currently have a full time Research Fellow working full time on these projects.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

10 Years with at least one or two students per year.