Our Mission

The Vanderbilt Center for Matrix Biology, associated with Vanderbilt University Medical Center, is an interdepartmental group of basic and clinical scientists, whose research involves different aspects of biology of the extracellular matrices. The Center currently includes numerous members from different departments with research interests comprising such areas as angiogenesis, biomaterials, tumor microenvironment, wound repair, diabetic complications, fibrosis, and tissue regeneration.

The mission of the Center is to foster cohesive interactions among scientists to facilitate collaborations and promote excellence in matrix research.

Furthermore, Vanderbilt Center for Matrix Biology aims to support and develop a model science education pipeline with Aspirnaut™, a K-20 STEM Pipeline for Diversity. The goal is to elevate STEM achievement in students from disadvantaged backgrounds as a means to increase the number and diversity of students entering the STEM workforce.

Billy Hudson, PhD - Director

Sergey Budko, PhD - Associate Director

Research Areas

Migration, growth, and differentiation of endothelial cells.

9 Members

as·pir·naut = one who aspires, seeks and achieves

44 Members

Thin, fibrous, extracellular matrix of tissues.

6 Members

Concepts fundamental to the study of medicine.

31 Members

An approach to understand the chemical and physicochemical processes that occur within living organisms.

7 Members

The synthetic or natural material suitable for use in constructing artificial organs and prostheses or to replace bone or tissue.

4 Members

Structure, function, and mechanical mechanism related to bone matrix biology.

1 Members

The study of a disease in which a group of abnormal cells grow uncontrollably by disregarding the normal rules of cell division.

6 Members

The science of using biological data to develop various biological systems.

6 Members

A metabolic disease in which the body’s inability to produce any or enough insulin causes elevated levels of glucose in the blood.

8 Members

Drug discovery is the process by which new candidate medications are discovered.

10 Members

An approach to understanding biology through the development and diversification of earlier forms

3 Members

Excessive fibrous connective tissue in an organ or tissue in a reparative or reactive process.

20 Members

Biology related to the immune system and the consequences once disordered.

2 Members

Molecular structure of biological macromolecules.

6 Members

Renewal, regeneration and growth that allow resilient to natural changes.

8 Members

Cellular environment in which the tumor exists.

4 Members

The post-trauma repair process.

10 Members

 Aspirnaut image

The Aspirnaut Program

as·pir·naut = one who aspires, seeks and achieves

Founded in 2006 by two Vanderbilt faculty members, the program was launched as an online-learning-on-the-bus initiative in rural, Arkansas in 2006. Since the first pilot on rural school bus routes where students completed online curriculum, Aspirnaut™ has evolved to a K-20 STEM pipeline program for diversity that partners the experiential and content expertise of Vanderbilt University Medical Center with rural K-12 schools and diverse high school, undergraduate and graduate students.

http://www.aspirnaut.org/