Ricardo Londono

Trainee

Ricardo Londono

Ricardo Londono

Faculty Mentor: Stephen F. Badylak

Research:I am an MD/PhD student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. At the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, my research focuses on the use of biologically derived scaffolds for tissue repair applications. Biomaterial-mediated tissue repair occurs through a series of steps that are very similar to the ones observed in traditional wound healing: hemostasis, inflammation, angiogenesis, etc... In our lab, we use extracellular matrix-derived biomaterials to manipulate these processes and make them switch from what was once an evolutionary advantageous process of rapid wound healing and scar formation to one of functional tissue restoration, a process we like to call constructive tissue remodeling - since we haven't achieved true tissue regeneration just yet. As you can imagine the clinical success of these technologies depends on a variety of factors some of which include the source of the biomaterial used, its biochemical composition, and the methods of manufacture. I essentially study the effects of these and other factors on the regenerative process. Dr. Badylak has given me the opportunity to study multiple organs and tissues, but my thesis work is focused on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of biomaterial-mediated cardiac and esophageal repair. I primarily study the immune response after biomaterial implantation in both cardiac and esophageal repair models, but I also study some of the downstream events which include stem cell recruitment, proliferation, and differentiation. All these are necessary steps to achieve any sort of functional tissue regeneration.  

Publications:    

  • Human NELL1 protein augments constructive tissue remodeling with biologic scaffolds. Turner NJ, Londono R, Dearth CL, Culiat CT, Badylak SF. Cells Tissues Organs. 2013;198(4):249-65. doi: 10.1159/000356491. Epub 2013 Dec 7.
  • Patch esophagoplasty: esophageal reconstruction using biologic scaffolds. Nieponice A, Ciotola FF, Nachman F, Jobe BA, Hoppo T, Londono R, Badylak S, Badaloni AE. Ann Thorac Surg. 2014 Jan;97(1):283-8. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2013.08.011. Epub 2013 Nov 20.
  • An Assay to Quantify Chemotactic Properties of Degradation Products from Extracellular Matrix. Sicari BM, Zhang L, Londono R, Badylak SF. Methods Mol Biol. 2013 Oct 24. [Epub ahead of print]
  • Polypropylene surgical mesh coated with extracellular matrix mitigates the host foreign body response. Wolf MT, Carruthers CA, Dearth CL, Crapo PM, Huber A, Burnsed OA, Londono R, Johnson SA, Daly KA, Stahl EC, Freund JM, Medberry CJ, Carey LE, Nieponice A, Amoroso NJ, Badylak SF. J Biomed Mater Res A. 2013 Jul 19. doi: 10.1002/jbm.a.34671. [Epub ahead of print]
  • Preparation and characterization of a biologic scaffold from esophageal mucosa. Keane TJ, Londono R, Carey RM, Carruthers CA, Reing JE, Dearth CL, D'Amore A, Medberry CJ, Badylak SF. Biomaterials. 2013 Sep;34(28):6729-37. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.05.052. Epub 2013 Jun 15.
  • Esophagus and regenerative medicine. Londono R, Jobe BA, Hoppo T, Badylak SF. World J Gastroenterol. 2012 Dec 21;18(47):6894-9. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i47.6894.
  • Macrophage phenotype as a predictor of constructive remodeling following the implantation of biologically derived surgical mesh materials. Brown BN, Londono R, Tottey S, Zhang L, Kukla KA, Wolf MT, Daly KA, Reing JE, Badylak SF. Acta Biomater. 2012 Mar;8(3):978-87. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2011.11.031. Epub 2011 Dec 2.
  • Consequences of ineffective decellularization of biologic scaffolds on the host response. Keane TJ, Londono R, Turner NJ, Badylak SF. Biomaterials. 2012 Feb;33(6):1771-81. doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2011.10.054. Epub 2011 Dec 2.
  • Extracellular matrix degradation products and low-oxygen conditions enhance the regenerative potential of perivascular stem cells. Tottey S, Corselli M, Jeffries EM, Londono R, Peault B, Badylak SF. Tissue Eng Part A. 2011 Jan;17(1-2):37-44. doi: 10.1089/ten.TEA.2010.0188. Epub 2010 Sep 6.

Conferences:  

  • Eighth Symposium On Biologic Scaffolds For Regenerative Medicine, Napa, CA, United States of America, 2014
  • MIRM Scientific Retreat, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America, 2014
  • 18th Annual Regenerative Medicine Workshop, Hilton Head, NC, United States of America, 2014
  • Society for Biomaterials, Boston, MA, 2013
  • MIRM Scientific Retreat, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America, 2013
  • Seventh Symposium On Biologic Scaffolds For Regenerative Medicine, Napa, CA, United States of America, 2012
  • MIRM Scientific Retreat, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America, 2012
  • AFIRM - All Hands. Wounded Warrior Project. Clearwater, FL, United States, 2011