Request for Funding
Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2011

All descriptions must contain enough detail to permit an assessment of the problem that is to be addressed and the methodologies that are to be employed. Please be careful to outline the role that the student will play in the project that is described. Please ensure that all relevant approval numbers (IRB, IACUC) are provided.

Mentor:                       Jeffrey Kenkel, MD
Department:              Plastic Surgery
Room number:         WA4.216
Mail Code:                 9132
Phone number:        5-3122
E-mail:                       Jeffrey.kenkel@utsouthwestern.edu

Project #1 Title:      Laser-delivery of stem cells in skin wounds

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):  2009−0066

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 adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) to wounds is the focus of many laboratories. The use of natural material, biodegradable scaffolding and other systems are being examined to deliver ASC. The challenges are many of these strategies require the further processing of ASC onto scaffolds and subsequent viability and differentiation problems may produce unwanted clinical outcomes.

Our laboratory has extensive experience with the use of lasers on skin. We have preliminary data to support the formation of microchannels in the skin by lasers and the delivery and subsequent viability of ASC over time in a porcine model. We propose to further examine the feasibility and efficacy of using various doses of pre-labeled human ASC in an athymic rat model that has undergone a skin radiation wound.  The hypotheis is that the ASC introduced into the laser-generated microchannel will migrate to the wound site and accelerate wound healing compared to wounds that have laser treatment but no ASC.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

Farkas JP.  Richardson JA.  Brown SA.  Ticker B.  Walgama E.  Burrus CF.  Hoopman JE.  Barton FE.  Kenkel JM. Aesthetic Surgery Journal.  30(4):603-13, 2010 Jul-Aug.

Farkas JP.  Richardson JA.  Burrus CF.  Hoopman JE.  Brown SA.  Kenkel JM. Aesthetic Surgery Journal.  30(3):457-64, 2010 May.

Farkas JP.  Richardson JA.  Hoopman J.  Brown SA.  Kenkel JM. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.  8(2):119-26, 2009 Jun.

Hatef DA.  Brown SA.  Lipschitz AH.  Kenkel JM. Aesthetic Surgery Journal.  29(2):122-8, 2009 Mar-Apr.

Project  #2 Title:                 Laser-delivery of stem cells in skin wounds

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): VA approved 11.20.10
[#10-089, A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized evaluation of the effect of the Erchonia® ML Scanner (MLS) on venous stasis ulcers clinical study protocol]

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): 

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)     patient-based

Brief Description of Project:

The use of low level energy on wound healing has been controversial. Although there is a FDA approved indication for pain, the evidence for soft tissue closure in acute or chronic wounds is not well established. The venous stasis ulcer is difficult to treat and close final soft tissues.

A clinical study will be undertaken to examine whether the use of the low level laser device will increase wound healing in subjects with at least two similar venous stasis ulcers; each subject will act as their own control. The medical student will participate in the full spectrum of clinical studies including subject screening, viewing treatments and analyzing subsequent wound sizes during the study.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

Farkas JP.  Richardson JA.  Brown SA.  Ticker B.  Walgama E.  Burrus CF.  Hoopman JE.  Barton FE.  Kenkel JM. Aesthetic Surgery Journal.  30(4):603-13, 2010 Jul-Aug.

Farkas JP.  Richardson JA.  Burrus CF.  Hoopman JE.  Brown SA.  Kenkel JM. Aesthetic Surgery Journal.  30(3):457-64, 2010 May.

Farkas JP.  Richardson JA.  Hoopman J.  Brown SA.  Kenkel JM. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.  8(2):119-26, 2009 Jun.

Hatef DA.  Brown SA.  Lipschitz AH.  Kenkel JM. Aesthetic Surgery Journal.  29(2):122-8, 2009 Mar-Apr.