Research

MISSION

Research has been a valuable part of the Division of Plastic Surgery at Vanderbilt for 25 years. Much of this work has been powered by the plastic surgery research fellow in conjunction with the Laboratory Director, Lillian B. Nanney, Ph.D., the attending physicians on the staff and from collaborations with investigators within other departments at Vanderbilt.

The mission of the Plastic Surgery Research Efforts include

• Basic science research in wound repair
• Evidence-based medicine in wound repair
• Evaluation of new wound healing modalities (drugs, devices)
• Supporting the research activities of Plastic Surgery Residents

Current Research Efforts

The focus of the research involves the characterization of the in vivo role of growth factors in skin. For years our studies have examined ligands in the epidermal growth factor family, the corresponding ErbB receptor forms and signaling molecules. The primary goal of the laboratory is to investigate growth control mechanisms in the skin whether it be in wound healing settings where accelerated growth is desired or whether it be in benign or neoplastic growth where growth inhibition is desired.

Our wound healing studies are conducted primarily in porcine, mouse and human models. Recently we have used a strategy of boosting receptor levels in an effort to improve wound repair. Other wound healing studies are conducted with human wound tissues derived from healing burns, keloids, scars, ad chronic wounds. We are using laser capture microdissection techniques to isolate specific cell populations and then conducting quantitative analyses of gene expression or microarray analyses. We are also beginning to use proteomic approaches to evaluate proteins expressed within regenerating and repairing wounds.

Plastic Surgery Research is an interactive program involving the director, a plastic surgery research fellow, Vanderbilt medical students (medical scholars, emphasis program students), with many ideas emerging from clinical questions arising from the cadre of plastic surgeons within the Division. Plastic surgery residents have an opportunity to engage in research projects (clinically based or basic science based) during their tenure as residents.

The Department of Plastic Surgery funds one full-time Plastic Surgery Research Fellow each year. Many of these Research Fellows have distinguished themselves nationally with multiple awards. Most have co-authored a number of basic and clinical manuscripts.

Contact Information:

Plastic Surgery Research Laboratory
S-2221 Medical Center North
Vanderbilt School of Medicine