Jay Blanchette

Assistant Professor

The Blanchette Lab’s research efforts are focused on developing novel systems for drug delivery and tissue engineering through rational design of biomaterials, genetic engineering and analysis of cell signaling pathways.  One area of particular focus is the study of cell encapsulation.  By entrapping living tissue within a synthetic matrix, bio-synthetic hybrid systems can be created for use in a variety of medical applications.  An application of interest related to this research area is treatment of diabetes by encapsulation of Islets of Langerhans isolated from the pancreas.  On a broader scale, bio-synthetic systems can be used as living drug delivery systems and the choice of encapsulated tissue will determine the application (ex. Islets of Langerhans chosen for glucose-responsive delivery of insulin).  Because the microenvironment of a synthetic capsule is different from what tissue normally interacts with, the related stress and effect on behavior is studied in association with strategies to alleviate these stresses and control behavior of encapsulated tissue.  Discoveries made in this field can also be applied in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Education

• Ph. D., University of Texas, Austin (2004)
• B. S. E., Duke University(1998)