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Dr. Horst
von Recum
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DR. HORST VON RECUM TO DEVELOP A VASCULAR TISSUE ENGINEERING RESEARCH PROGRAM AT CASE BME
The Department of Biomedical Engineering is excited to appoint Dr. Horst von Recum as Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering. Dr. von Recum's interests in tissue engineering are a terrific match for the research environment in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and throughout Case Western Reserve University. His expertise will also strengthen our expanding tissue engineering and biomaterials curricula.
Dr. von Recum's research focuses on building artificial blood vessels with small diamater (~4-6mm in diameter). Small-diameter blood vessels are extensively used in heart by-pass surgeries and similar biomedical procedures. Unfortunately, the human body has a limited supply of "extra" blood vessels that can be transplanted to the surgical area. Also, current small-diameter synthetic vessels have problems with compatibility and uncontrolled blood clotting. Dr. von Recum's new artificial blood vessels address a critical unmet biomedical need.
Dr. von Recum is also investigating the use of stem cells for new tissue engineering therapies. Stem cells can multiply almost infinitely in cell culture, and under the right stimulus they can be directed to become any other cell type, such as endothelial cells which line blood vessels. Dr. von Recum exploits these properties in combination with synthetic materials to improve tissue repair mechanisms.
Dr. von Recum received B.A. degrees in chemical engineering and biochemistry at Rice University. While at Rice, he began his research career with Dr. Tony Mikos, one of the early pioneers in the field of tissue engineering. He continued his training and received his Ph.D. in bioengineering at the University of Utah. He received a NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship to study with Dr. Robert Langer at MIT, where he collaborted with Dr. Richard Mulligan to expand his expertise to include molecular biology and gene therapy. He then further diversified his background by developing a research program at the University of Washington. This research focused on hematopoietic stem cells, including human embryonic stem cells from one of the cell lines permitted for federal research. Dr. von Recum returned to the area of biomaterials and drug delivery research while working with Dr. Suzie H. Pun during his last year in Seattle.
Dr. von Recum and his wife Erin enjoy running. They have completed two full marathons, and a few half marathons. They are currently training for the Olympic Discover Trail Marathon this summer.
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