Professor
School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering
Director, Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience
Dr. Guldberg joined the Woodruff School in 1996 as an Assistant Professor following postdoctoral training in cellular and molecular biology at the Marine Biological Laboratory and the University of Michigan. In 2004, he was appointed an Associate Director of the Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience.
Dr. Guldberg conducts research in biomechanics, biomaterials, and tissue engineering with an emphasis on orthopaedic applications. Several current projects are focused on better understanding the effects of mechanical stimuli on cellular function within extracellular matrices in vitro and in vivo. Novel three-dimensional (3D) culture systems are being developed as test beds for tissue-engineered constructs composed of a combination of cells and porous biomaterial scaffolds. Current studies include the use of adult stem cells to create tissue-engineered constructs for bone and cartilage regeneration. A microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) imaging system is used to quantify the amount and organization of bone formation at a resolution of less than ten microns. Micro-CT images are also used to generate 3D finite element models of biological microstructures and, in combination with mechanical testing, to determine structure-function relationships for synthetic and natural porous scaffolds. Future initiatives will continue to develop strategies to restore function to orthopaedic tissues damaged due to traumatic injuries or degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.
Dr. Guldberg is a Research Director within the Georgia Tech/Emory Center for the Engineering of Living Tissues (GTEC) supported by the National Science Foundation and the Georgia Research Alliance. His work is also supported by the Whitaker Foundation and several companies in the medical device and tissue engineering industries.