Buddy D. Ratner

Biomaterials, Tissue engineering and Control of the Biointerphase

University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB), an NSF Engineering Research Center, has provided the focus of our research program for the last 11 years. UWEB is aimed at robust, manufacturable biomaterials that are specifically recognized by biological systems, and can enhance the healing and integration of those materials upon implantation. UWEB is an investment in the basic biology of wound healing and inflammation to provide the information needed for rational engineering of "biomaterials that heal." A paradigm shift in how biomaterials function and how we control healing is evolving as bioengineers take charge of directing healing to meet specific needs. UWEB aims to control the macrophage to promote healing and integration. UWEB integrates a new engineering based upon nanoassembly and molecular orientation of specific receptor units. UWEB exploits novel "delivery" modes for peptides and receptors offering high reactivity and inhibition of non-specific reactions. UWEB offers a new materials science emphasizing molecular design, molecular engineering and optimized surfaces. UWEB is now evolving toward tissue engineering, nanotechnology and inflammation technology. A close partnership between academia and industry with protection of IP is fostered. A modern, interdisciplinary curriculum to train a generation of students needed to populate a new biomaterials industry has been developed. UWEB has an important focus on enhancing ethnic and cultural diversity within the science and engineering communities.

Central to engineering biomaterials is the understanding of the structure and reactivity of surfaces. This is also important in such widely diverse areas of technology as microelectronics, sensors, adhesion, wear, corrosion, electrochemistry, and catalysis. Our program, now in its 35th year, emphasizes our experience in the areas of modification and characterization of surfaces. The orientation of our program is toward the understanding and development of improved synthetic materials for biomedical applications. Research in the area of biomaterials is inherently interdisciplinary in nature: We feel one of the strengths of our program is the on-going collaboration with physicians, veterinarians, biochemists, physicists, and electrical engineers.The primary surface analytical tools we use in our studies are electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA or XPS), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), scanning tunneling microscopy, atomic force microscopy, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy, sum frequency generation and contact angle measurements. Major research programs are focused on the modification of surfaces, and on the significance of those modifications for reaction of the surfaces with proteins, cells, DNA, and blood. The surfaces we work with include hydrogels, polyurethanes, acrylic polymers, self-assembled films, and RF-plasma deposited thin films.

1988 Clemson Award for Contributions to the Literature
1990 Burlington Resources Foundation Faculty Achievement Award for Outstanding Research
1991 Perkin Elmer Physical Electronics Award for Excellence in Surface Science
1993 Founding Fellow of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE)
1993 Fellow, American Vacuum Society
1993 Fellow, Society for Biomaterials
1995 Chair, Gordon Research Conference on Biocompatibility & Biomaterials, July 23-28
1996 Van Ness Lecturer, Rensselear Polytechnic Institute
1999 American Vacuum Society Distinguished Lecturer
1999 C.M.A. Stine Award for Materials Science, AIChE
2000 Science In Medicine Lecturer, University of Washington
2000 Joe Smith Distinguished Lecturer, University of California, Davis
2002 Elected to the National Academy of Engineering of the United States of America
2002 Medard W. Welch Award, American Vacuum Society
2004 Founders Award, Society for Biomaterials
2004 Distinguished Lecturer, University of Utah
2006 C. William Hall Award, Society for Biomaterials
2006 Fellow, AAAS

Biomaterials
Biosurfaces
Tissue Engineering
Inflammation

Our program has been responsible for spinning out many companies (Asemblon, Ratner Biomedical Group, Healionics), and for working with numerous companies. We ecourage entrepreneurship and IP protection.