Biography

B.S. 1995, Fudan University, P.R. China
Ph.D. 1999, Michigan State University
Postdoctoral Fellow 1999-2002, University of California Berkeley & Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Staff Scientist 2002-2006, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Research Interests

With an aging population, the demand for synthetic tissue scaffolds assisting the repair and reconstruction of musculoskeletal tissue defects resulting from trauma, cancer and metabolic diseases is rising. Our lab is interested in 1) developing new biomaterial- and stem cell-based approaches towards bone and cartilage tissue regeneration, particularly dealing with hard-to-heal tissue defects resulting from aging, diabetes, and traumatic injuries; 2) identifying novel factors regulating stem cell renewal and skeletal tissue regeneration; 3) identifying new targets for the development of disease modifying drugs of osteoarthritis; and 4) improving the osteointegration of and reducing periprosthetic infections associated with existing orthopedic metallic implants. Many of the synthetic scaffolds we designed are programmed with unique physical properties to facilitate facile surgical delivery (injectable formulations; minimally invasive in vivo deployment and stable fixation), tunable & predictive in vivo degradation profiles, and spatially controlled presentation and temporally controlled release of bioactive factors for regulating stem/progenitor cell fate within the tissue niche environment.

Lab Members

San Diego (ORS meeting), March 2017

Potential Rotation Projects

1. 
   Design and evaluation of smart synthetic bone / cartilage tissue grafts


2. 
   Metallic implant surface modifications for reducing periprosthetic infections


3. 
   New therapeutic targets for the development of disease modifying drugs of osteoarthritis

Postdoc openings are available in the Song Lab for projects aimed at developing synthetic niches for stem cell therapy and bone/cartilage regeneration. 

A recent Ph.D. (within 2 years) in stem cell/skeletal biology, chemistry or polymer sciences is required. Hands-on experience in cell / molecular biology or synthetic chemistry is desired; experience with animal work or materials fabrication/characterization preferred but not required.

Interested candidate should email a copy of CV including a list of publications, names of 3 referees and a brief statement of research interest (1-2 pages) to Dr. Song: Jie.Song@umassmed.edu

Paid undergraduate research intern position available!

Preference is given to local college students who are interested in a career in biomedical science/engineering and able to commit >10-12 h/week during regular semesters and full-time during summers. Chemistry, Biology and Biomedical Engineering majors are welcome! Interested candidate should send resume (indicating GPA and contact info of referees) to Dr. Song: Jie.Song@umassmed.edu