Education

  • Ph.D., The University of Michigan, 1995
  • M.S., The University of Michigan, 1992
  • B.S., The University of Michigan, 1989

Research Areas and Descriptors

Background

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.

Research

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.

  • Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) Chair-Elect of the North American Region, 2009-2012
  • American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering Fellow, 2007
  • Georgia Institute of Technology
    • Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience
      • Director, 2010
      • Associate Director, 2004
      • Vivarium Advisory Committee Chairperson, 2000-present
    • Georgia Tech/Emory Center in Orthopaedic Tissue Engineering Steering Committee Chairperson, 1998-present
  • Woodruff School Faculty Fellow, 2004-2008

Patents

  • Bioreactor and Methods for Tissue Growth and Conditioning, U.S. Patent 7,416,884B2, with Christopher V. Gemmiti, August. 26, 2008.

Representative Publications

  • R. E. Guldberg and A. O. Duty. 2003. Design Parameters for Bone Tissue Engineering. In Functional Tissue Engineering: The Role of Biomechanics, D. Butler, S. Goldstein, and F. Guilak (editors). Springer Verlag, New York.
  • J. A. Stammen and R. E. Guldberg. 2001. Mechanical Properties of a PVA Hydrogel in Shear and Unconfined Compression. Biomaterials 22(8) 799-806.
  • G. T. Charras and R. E. Guldberg. 2000. Improving the Local Solution Accuracy of Large- Scale Digital Image-Based Finite Element Analysis. Journal of Biomechanics 33(2), 255-259.
  • R. E. Guldberg, et al. 1997. Trabecular Bone Adaptation Adjacent to Porous-Coated Implants in a Controlled Mechanical Environment. Journal of Biomechanics 30(2), 147-153.
  • R. E. Guldberg, et al. 1997. Mechanical Stimulation of Tissue Repair in the Hydraulic Bone Chamber. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research 12(8), 1295-1302.