Myron Spector

Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery (Biomaterials), Harvard Medical School Senior Lecturer, Mechanical Engineering and Lecture, Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Director of Tissue Engineering, Veterans Administration Boston Healthcare System Director of Orthopaedic Research, Brigham and Women's Hospital

Email: mspector@rics.bwh.harvard.edu
Phone: 617-264-6639
Fax: 617-264-6791

Professor Spector has been the recipient of the highest research awards given by four prestigious organizations: The Orthopaedic Research Society, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Society for Biomaterials, and The Hip Society. He has been a Visiting Professor at several Universities throughout the world including a Guest Professor at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. Dr. Spector has been the president of the Society for Biomaterials (1990-1991) and chairman of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration General and Plastic Surgery Devices Advisory Panel (Chairman, 1993-1997).

His research interests include:
1. Tissue engineering: collagen-glycosaminoglycan analogs of extracellular matrix to be used as implants to facilitate regeneration of selected musculoskeletal tissues (including articular cartilage, intervertebral disc, meniscus, and ligament), spinal cord, and other tissues including hearyt, lung, and brain. His investigations include in vitro and in vivo studies. Work includes the incorporation of autologous stem cells and plasmid DNA into the collagen-glycosaminoglycan scaffolds.
2. Expression of smooth muscle actin in, and contraction of, musculoskeletal connective tissue cells.
3. The role of joint fluid in the performance of joint replacement prostheses.