Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Sciences; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine

BS, Materials Science and Engineering, 2000
Northwestern University

PhD, Biomaterials, Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, 2006
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Contact Info

Processing and characterization of novel biomaterials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

My group focuses on developing new strategies for creating novel and practical biomaterials for the repair and regeneration of tissues damaged by disease or traumatic injury.  In particular, we focus on the development of bioactive scaffolds having varying mechanical and biological properties sufficient for the regeneration or augmentation of musculoskeletal tissues such as cartilage, bone, meniscus, tendon, and ligament.

Main research topics in my group include:

Hybrid biomaterial scaffolds:
We are developing and characterizing scaffold technologies that combine both synthetic and natural material systems as well as bioactive components (i.e. growth factors, genes, bioactive peptides) to create artificial matrices that can mimic the sophisticated structural, mechanical, and biological properties of complex tissue as well as stimulate tissue regeneration.  We are investigating various methods (i.e. through self-assembly or other processing techniques such as electrospinning) that can create unique hybrid constructs with custom designed physical and biological properties for specific tissue targets.

Soy-based biomaterials:
Plant-derived proteins, particularly those derived from soy, have recently emerged as a potential source for natural protein-based biomaterials. Soybean is made up of protein and carbohydrate fractions, oil fraction, minerals, and contain isoflavones, which are considered among the most effective estrogens in reducing tumor cell proliferation; activity of immunocompetent cells; and the bone resorbing activity of osteoclasts. The versatility of soy can be demonstrated not only in the variety of its uses in food products, but also its uses in other industrial applications. Furthermore, its abundance in the US and low cost make soy a desirable material to use in developing more practical materials for biomedical applications. Another research area in my group explores the use of soy to create 3D constructs with tunable porosity, scaffold architecture, mechanical properties, and degradation characteristics for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.

Mechanical and ultrasonic stimulation of cells in scaffolding systems:
My group also seeks to investigate various mechanical stimuli (in combination with biological signaling) that can orchestrate and direct cells down the regenerative pathway. It is likely that there is synergism not only between bioactive factors, but also with the physical and chemical cues presented to cells through biomaterial interaction and/or external stimulation. Ultrasound has been used clinically over several decades as a therapeutic means for treating damaged ligaments, muscle spasms, inflamed tendons, stiff joints, fractured bones and cartilage; accelerated healing of wounds; skin rejuvenation; nerve stimulation; and improving the strength and elasticity of scar tissues. Upon application of ultrasound, tissues can experience elevated temperatures resulting in several therapeutic benefits. Furthermore, non-thermal mechanisms (i.e. cavitation and acoustic streaming) can alter diffusion rates and membrane permeability to ions, which can stimulate cells by upregulating signaling molecules. My group is exploring the use of low intensity ultrasound (and/or other mechanical stimuli) to stimulate cells within tissue engineering scaffolds. We are also investigating the synergism between scaffold properties, mechanical stimuli, and bioactive factors to uncover conditions that result in optimal tissue regeneration.

Associations and Awards

American Society for Engineering Education Fellow (MIT), 2001-2004
Society for Biomaterials
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society

Selected Publications

Capito, R.M., Mata, A., Stupp, S.I., “Self-Assembling Peptide-Based Nanostructures for Regenerative
Medicine” Nanotechnology, Volume 5: Nanomedicine. Weinheim: WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA; 2009,
385-412.

Mata, A., Hsu, L., Capito, R.M., Aparicio, C., Henrikson, K., Stupp, S.I., “Micro-patterning of Bioactive Self-
Assembling Gels” Soft Matter 2009, DOI:10.1039/b819002j.

Capito, R.M., Azevedo, H., Velichko, Y., Mata, A., Stupp, S.I., “Self-Assembly of Large and Small Molecules
into Hierarchically Ordered Sacs and Membranes” Science 2008, 319, 1812.

Xu, X., Capito, R.M., Spector, M., “Delivery of Plasmid IGF-1 to Chondrocytes Via Cationized Gelatin
Nanoparticles” J. Biomed. Mat. Res. A. 2008, 73A, 73.

Xu, X., Capito, R.M., Spector, M., “Plasmid Size Influences Chitosan Nanoparticle Mediated Gene Transfer to
Chondrocytes” J. Biomed. Mat. Res. A. 2008, 84A, 1038.

Capito, R.M. and Spector, M., “Gene-Supplemented Collagen-Glycosaminoglycan Scaffolds for Nonviral IGF-
1 Gene Delivery in Articular Cartilage Tissue Engineering” Gene Therapy 2007, 14, 721.

Patents

1. Capito, R.M., Azevedo, H., Stupp, S.I. “Self-Assembling Membranes and Related Methods Thereof”    (12/031,421). Northwestern University, February 2008.

2. Jennings, H., Capito, R.M., and Thomas, J.J. “Protective Coatings for Metals”. December 2008.