Dr. Bonassar joined Cornell University in 2003 after five years on the faculty of the Center for Tissue Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He completed postdoctoral fellowships in the Orthopaedic Research Laboratory at the Massachusetts General Hospital and in the Center for Biomedical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He currently serves on the editorial board of the journal Tissue Engineering.
Dr. Bonassar's research group focuses on the regeneration and analysis of musculoskeletal tissues, including bone and cartilage. The approach involves a multidisciplinary strategy using techniques in biomechanics, biomaterials, cell biology, and biochemistry. Applications of this technology include the repair of articular cartilage, intervertebral disc, trachea and craniofacial defects.
At the cellular level, this work focuses on understanding the interactions of chondrocytes, fibroblasts and stem cells with biomaterials. This includes grafting of cell adhesion peptides to polymers and characterizing the effects of these alterations on the way in which cells sense their environment. Of specific interest is the extent to which intrinsic mechanical properties and externally applied forces control chondrocyte matrix assembly.
This work feeds into studies of the generation of biological structures at the tissue level, where cell-biomaterials interactions include understanding the way in which materials processing techniques affect cell behavior. This has led to the development of techniques known as tissue injection molding and cell-mediated sintering, whereby living implants are formed under conditions that support cell viability. Extensions of this work are aimed at fabricating composite tissues with heterogeneous structures and anisotropic properties.
The third focus area of the group is understanding structure-property relationships in native and engineered tissues. This involves experimental correlation of tissue mechanical properties with biochemical composition as well as mathematical modeling of tissue assembly processes and structure-property relationships.
Dr. Bonassar has been working with M.Eng. Director and a student team, with an industry sponsor to develop a tissue fusion system that uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to repair partial tears of the meniscus. The goal is to provide a minimally invasive and highly effective RF-based treatment for torn meniscus by developing testing protocols and assessing the optimal parameters of RF to maximize the mechanical benefit and minimize cell damage to the meniscus. Learn more in this team video spotlight.
Improving tissue-engineered menisci for replacing torn or damaged tissue
Board of Directors, International Society for Biofabrication
Board of Director, Orthopaedic Research Society Conference
Chairman, Bioprinting: 3D Printing of Live Cells, Atlanta, GA
2013 Editorial Board, International Journal of Biomaterials
Editorial Board, 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing
Editorial Board, Biofabrication.
An interdisciplinary research team received a five-year, $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to develop a new generation of biosynthetic lubricants that have the potential to treat... Read more about Interdisciplinary group creating biolubricants to combat arthritis
The funding will support preliminary disease-related research, in the latest in a series of efforts to create new opportunities for interdisciplinary research. Read more about Seed grants foster collaboration across Cornell campuses
Award recognizes orthopaedic research society (ORS) member who has shown exceptional achievement in mentorship and advocacy on behalf of new investigators in orthopaedic research. Read more about Prof. Bonassar selected, 2023 Outstanding Achievement in Mentoring Award
