Our work focuses on the development of cell and organ culture models of tissue degeneration. We are interested in understanding the effects of different mechanical stimuli on heart valve degeneration. Once cell mechanoreceptors and associated signaling pathways are known, it will be easier to apply new drugs to slow or reverse disease progression and to improve the design of tissue-engineered valves. In addition to heart valve mechanobiology, our research program also develops new techniques for tissue engineering based on innovative scaffold recellularization approaches. Other projects include: active cellularization of biological scaffolds, scaffold patterning and effects of selenoproteins on cellularization.