Name:	Alex Almarza, Ph.D.
Affiliation	University of Pittsburgh
Title:	Assistant Professor Department of Oral Biology School of Dental Medicine

Rice University, May 2005, Ph.D. Bioengineering
Florida State University, May 2001, B.S. Chemical Engineering

Department of Oral Biology
566 Salk Hall
3501 Terrace Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
Phone: 412-648-3101
aja19@dental.pitt.edu

• Biomechanics of the Temporomadibular Joint: Understanding the normal biomechanical properties and joint mechanics/motion of the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) will be paramount for determining diseased states and to start elucidating the progress of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMDs). Few studies have correlated the mechanical properties (under tension, compression, shear) of the different structures of the TMJ to each other, such as the bones of the madibular condyle and glenoid fossa and their respective fibrocartilages, along with the TMJ fibrocartilaginous disc. This biomechanical knowledge would also allow for the creation of relevant finite element models to assess the contribution of the different structures. Further, whole diarthrodial joint mechanics/motion need to be determined to assess the appropriateness of current reconstructive techniques.
• Tissue Engineering Approaches for the Temporomadibular Joint: The goal of this research is to utilize novel tissue engineering techniques, such as ink jetting of nanostructured materials, gene delivery therapies, and stem cells application, for bone and fibrocartilage tissue engineering applications. Ink jetting will allow for reconstruction of the original 3D structure of the TMJ tissues, while controlling at the nanoscale the deposition of bioactive molecules and/or cells. Further, gene delivery will elicit the appropriate response from seeded or migrating cells to recapitulate the original tissues. Additionally, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are capable of dividing and differentiating into bone, cartilage and fibrocartilage cells. These MSCs also secrete a variety of cytokines and growth factors, known as trophic factors, that suppress the local immune system, inhibit scar formation and apoptosis, enhance angiogenesis, and stimulate mitosis and differentiation of tissue-intrinsic reparative or stem cells.

1. Nguyen, T., Liang, R., Woo, S.L-Y., Burton, S., Wu, C. Almarza, A., Sacks, M., Abramowitch, S.: Effects of Cell-Seeding and Cyclic Stretching on the Remodeling of an Extracellular Matrix Derived Bioscaffold. Tissue Engineering, 15(4):957-963, 2008.
2. Liang, R., Woo, S.L-Y., Nguyen, T.D., Liu, P-C., Almarza, A.: A Bioscaffold to Enhance Collagen Fibrillogenesis in Healing Medial Collateral Ligament in Rabbits. J. of Orthopaedic Research, 26(8):1098-1104, 2008.
3. Almarza, A., Augustine, S., Woo, S.L-Y.: Changes in Gene Expression of Matrix Constituents with Respect to Passage of Ligament and Tendon Fibroblasts. Annuals of Biomedical Engineering, 36(12):1927-1933, 2008.
4. Almarza, A., Yang, G., Woo, S.L-Y., Nguyen, T., Abramowitch, S.: Positive Changes of Bone Marrow Derived Cells in Response to Culture on an Aligned Bioscaffold. Tissue Engineering, Part A, 14(9):1489-1495, 2008.
5. Almarza AJ, Athanasiou KA. Evaluation of Three Growth Factors in Combinations of Two for TMJ Disc Tissue Engineering. Arch Oral Biol, 2006;51(3):215-221.
6. Almarza AJ, Athanasiou KA. Effects of Hydrostatic Pressure on TMJ Disc Cells. Tissue Eng, 2006;12(5):1285-1294.
7. Almarza AJ, Bean AC, Baggett LS, Athanasiou KA. Biochemical Content and Distribution in the Porcine Temporomandibular Joint Disc. Br J of Oral Maxillofac Surg, 2006;44(2):124-128.
8. Bean, AC, Almarza, AJ, and Athanasiou, KA . Effects of Ascorbic Acid Concentration on the Tissue Engineering of the Temporomandibular Joint Disc. Proc Inst Mech Eng, 2006;220(3):439-447.
9. Detamore MS, Hegde JN, Wagle RR, Almarza AJ, Montufar-Solis D, Duke PJ, Athanasiou KA. Cell Type and Distribution in the Porcine Temporomandibular Joint Disc. J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 2006;64(2):243-248.
10. Detamore MS, Orfanos JG, Almarza AJ, French MM, Wong ME, Athanasiou KA. Quantitative Analysis and Comparative Regional Investigation of the Extracellular Matrix of the Porcine Temporomandibular Joint Disc. Matrix Bio, 2005;24(1):45-57.
11. Almarza AJ, Athanasiou KA. Effects of Initial Cell Seeding Density for the Tissue Engineering of the Temporomandibular Joint Disc. Ann Biomed Eng, 2005;33(7): 943-950.