Nebraska Translational Research Center

The Nebraska Translational Research Center advances translational biomaterials and regenerative medicine strategies for musculoskeletal and composite tissue injuries.

Our funded programs encompass bone regeneration, neural tissue repair, composite injuries involving bone-nerve-muscle and pain management, with additional focus on scar reduction in skin and tendon healing.

Our central philosophy is the engineering of next-generation biomaterials through modification of existing biomedical polymers to overcome key limitations in functionality, degradation, solubility and mechanical strength. These advances are paired with biologically informed design principles to accelerate healing, restore function and improve clinical translatability.

By integrating polymer chemistry, micro- and nanofabrication and drug repurposing strategies, the research center develops scalable, clinically actionable solutions for complex tissue injuries and chronic pain conditions, bridging the gap between fundamental biomaterials science and patient-centered therapies.

Rather than relying on traditional growth factor-based approaches, our research emphasizes growth-factor alternatives by repurposing FDA-approved small-molecule drugs as regenerative agents. These molecules are strategically deployed to target specific cellular signaling pathways, enabling immune modulation, enhanced tissue regeneration and reduced fibrosis across multiple tissue types.

This strategy leverages the established safety profiles of approved drugs, enabling rapid translation into new medical indications and regenerative applications while minimizing regulatory barriers.

In parallel, we design engineered scaffold architectures that enhance mass transport, cellular infiltration, vascularization and tissue ingrowth, ensuring that biochemical cues are effectively integrated with structural and mechanical guidance.

Leadership

The Nebraska Translational Research Center is led by principal investigator Sangamesh Gurappa Kumbar, PhD.

Meet the Team

Research Programs

Learn more about our team's current federally funded research programs.

About Our Programs

Research Programs and Emerging Initiatives

Our research spans a broad range of clinically relevant applications, including:

Composite tissue regeneration involving bone, nerve and muscle
Pain modulation strategies integrated with regenerative therapies
Skin and tendon healing with an emphasis on scar reduction
Craniofacial tissue repair and regeneration, including:
- Alveolar bone regeneration
- Facial nerve repair
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) regeneration and pain
Collaborative initiatives in:
- Intervertebral disc regeneration
- Osteochondral tissue repair and regeneration

Biomaterials and Fabrication Expertise

The NTRC laboratory specializes in the fabrication and characterization of micro- and nanostructured biomaterials, with a strong focus on semi-synthetic polymers for tissue engineering and controlled drug delivery. These semi-synthetic materials, combining synthetic polymers for mechanical tunability with natural polymers for biological functionality, are engineered into micro- and nanostructured architectures that promote:

Enhanced tissue regeneration
Controlled, localized therapeutic delivery
Multi-tissue integration and functional recovery

Contact Us

Reach Dr. Kumbar