3705 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburg, PA 15213

Mission:

The Stem Cell Research Center (SCRC) is a center of excellence dedicated to the application of musculoskeletal research focused on the development of biological approaches to improve tissue healing, regeneration and functionality.

The SCRC is also dedicated to the development of gene therapy approaches to improve tissue healing and regeneration of a variety of tissues which have been afflicted by disease or injury, as seen in Duchenne muscular dystrophy and a variety of orthopaedic related injuries.

The role of the SCRC is to assist researchers in reaching these goals by building and supporting worldwide collaborations between basic and clinical scientists and clinicians and by bringing together basic research knowledge with potential clinical applications. The SCRC is dedicated to the application of our musculoskeletal research for the development of biological approaches to improve tissue healing/regeneration and functionality by:

1) Establishing worldwide collaborations between basic, clinical scientists and clinicians.
2) Amalgamating basic research knowledge and clinical management.
3) Developing core laboratories to facilitate basic research and clinical application including:
A) Stem cell Isolation Core for the production and expansion of stem cells isolated from skeletal muscle and other tissues,
B) Vector Core for the engineering of new viral and non-viral vectors,
C) Combinatorial/Bioreactor Cell Analysis Core for the study of cellular population dynamics,
D) Cytogenetics and Molecular Cytogenetics (FISH) Core for the analysis of chromosomal stability of isolated expanded cells
E) Biomechanics Core for the study and testing of regenerated and engineered tissues
F) Cryostat/Histological Analysis Core to aid researchers in analyzing tissues
G) Muscle Physiology Core for testing muscle functionality
I) Cell Sorting (FACS) Core for the isolation and marker analysis of stem cells
J) an Immunogenetics Core for the immunohistological and cytological analysis of stem cells and regenerated tissues and
K) MicroCT Core for the analysis of regenerated bone, cartilage and contrasted soft tissues. The SCRC is supported in part by funds from the:

• Department of Defense
• National Institutes of Health
• Hirtzel Foundation
• Jesse’s Journey Foundation
• Henry J. Mankin Endowed Chair (University of Pittsburgh)
• William F. and Jean W. Donaldson Endowed Chair (Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh)
• Gardiner Pediatric Orthopaedic Endowment Fund (Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh)
• The SCRC currently fosters local collaborations with the:
• Children\'s Hospital of Pittsburgh (CHP)
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)
• McGowan Institute of Regenerative Medicine (MIRM)
• Molecular Medicine Institute (MMI)
• Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Institute (PTEI)
• Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Center (DMDRC)
• University of Pittsburgh, Cancer Institute (UPCI)
• UPMC Arthritis Institute

Director:

Johnny Huard, PhD

Background of Director:

Johnny Huard, PhD, of the University of Pittsburgh is a Professor in the Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Bioengineering and the Director of the Stem Cell Research Center of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. He is also the Henry J. Mankin Professor and Vice Chair for Orthopaedic Research. In addition, he is the Deputy Director of the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine (MIRM); Cellular Therapeutic Pillar and an Associate Director of the Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative (PTEI). Finally, Dr. Huard is co-founder of Cook Myosite, Inc., a biotechnology company. Dr. Huard’s main research focus continues to expand the possibilities of tissue engineering by unlocking the potential of gene therapy, adult stem cell research and transferring research finding into the development of effective treatments for damaged or diseased tissues as they relate to the musculoskeletal system. He has established international recognition for his research discoveries in this area. He has made significant preclinical advances in the isolation, identification and characterization of post-natal muscle-derived stem cells. He is currently using those findings to explore and develop cutting-edge treatment programs to address Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and a variety of musculoskeletal conditions including skeletal, cardiac and muscle injuries and repair, and the regeneration of bone and articular cartilage. Dr. Huard’s research program is funded by a variety of sources including the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, Muscular Dystrophy Association, as well as other private and public foundations. In 2003, Dr. Huard was recognized by University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg, as a recipient of the Chancellor’s Distinguished Research Award and he was also the recipient of the Orthopaedic Society’s prestigious Kappa Delta Award.

Website:

http://www.pitt.edu/~huardlab/