Grants Funded
ASPS/PSF leadership is committed to continuing to provide high levels of investigator-initiated research support to ensure that plastic surgeons have the needed research resources to be pioneers and innovators in advancing the practice of medicine.
Research Abstracts
Search The PSF database to have easy access to full-text grant abstracts from past PSF-funded research projects 2003 to present. All abstracts are the work of the Principal Investigators and were retrieved from their PSF grant applications. Several different filters may be applied to locate abstracts specific to a particular focus area or PSF funding mechanism.
Enhancing VCA Preservation with Adipose Stem Cell-Derived Conditioned Media
Principal Investigator
Dominika Pullmann MD
Dominika Pullmann MD
Year
2025
2025
Institution
New York University Grossman School of Medicine
New York University Grossman School of Medicine
Funding Mechanism
PSF Pilot Research Grant
PSF Pilot Research Grant
Focus Area
Composite Tissue Allotransplantation, Tissue Engineering
Composite Tissue Allotransplantation, Tissue Engineering
Abstract
Project Summary
In the United States, more than 1.6 million people experience tissue damage caused by injuries, birth defects, or cancer-related surgeries. For large tissue defects that traditional repair methods cannot fix, a cutting-edge procedure using vascularized composite allografts (VCA) offers a promising solution. VCAs fill defects by transferring tissue from another patient and have been successful so far in restoring appearance and function. The major challenge has been keeping the tissue healthy during storage before the transplant surgery can happen.
Currently, VCAs are stored in a nutrient-rich University of Wisconsin solution at 4°C. This technique, used in organ transplant procedures, keeps the tissue viable for only 4–6 hours, limiting the time available for surgery and the range of potential donors. During this storage period, the lack of blood flow causes muscle damage and a buildup of harmful waste products, which harms blood vessels and triggers inflammation. When blood flow is restored, this damage worsens, weakening blood vessels even more and reducing the chances of a successful transplant. New research in tissue preservation has shown that products derived from stem cells, specifically those from fat tissue, may offer protective benefits. One of these products, called adipose stem cell-derived (ADSC) conditioned media, is packed with helpful substances like growth factors, antioxidants, and tiny particles that could protect the tissue during storage. Early studies in other organ transplantation suggest that adding ADSC conditioned media to the standard preservation solution could improve blood vessel health and overall tissue survival.
This project aims to evaluate the supplementation of University of Wisconsin solution with ADSC conditioned media for improvement of VCA preservation. This approach will reduce tissue damage during storage and make the grafts healthier and more durable, leading to better outcomes for patients undergoing complex VCA surgeries. The study will provide proof of principle for an effective new preservation method that expands donor options and improves transplant success rates.
Impact Statement
This project aims to transform the way we preserve complex tissue transplants, like those involving skin, muscle, and bone, by using a special solution made from stem cells found in fat tissue. Currently, these transplants can only stay alive for 4-6 hours, which limits the number of available donors and the time surgeons have to perform the operation. The new solution, rich in beneficial proteins and antioxidants, could help keep the transplanted tissue healthy for a longer period, reducing damage and improving overall tissue quality. This breakthrough could make more transplants possible and lead to better surgical outcomes for millions of patients in the U.S. who need complex reconstructive surgeries.
Project Summary
In the United States, more than 1.6 million people experience tissue damage caused by injuries, birth defects, or cancer-related surgeries. For large tissue defects that traditional repair methods cannot fix, a cutting-edge procedure using vascularized composite allografts (VCA) offers a promising solution. VCAs fill defects by transferring tissue from another patient and have been successful so far in restoring appearance and function. The major challenge has been keeping the tissue healthy during storage before the transplant surgery can happen.
Currently, VCAs are stored in a nutrient-rich University of Wisconsin solution at 4°C. This technique, used in organ transplant procedures, keeps the tissue viable for only 4–6 hours, limiting the time available for surgery and the range of potential donors. During this storage period, the lack of blood flow causes muscle damage and a buildup of harmful waste products, which harms blood vessels and triggers inflammation. When blood flow is restored, this damage worsens, weakening blood vessels even more and reducing the chances of a successful transplant. New research in tissue preservation has shown that products derived from stem cells, specifically those from fat tissue, may offer protective benefits. One of these products, called adipose stem cell-derived (ADSC) conditioned media, is packed with helpful substances like growth factors, antioxidants, and tiny particles that could protect the tissue during storage. Early studies in other organ transplantation suggest that adding ADSC conditioned media to the standard preservation solution could improve blood vessel health and overall tissue survival.
This project aims to evaluate the supplementation of University of Wisconsin solution with ADSC conditioned media for improvement of VCA preservation. This approach will reduce tissue damage during storage and make the grafts healthier and more durable, leading to better outcomes for patients undergoing complex VCA surgeries. The study will provide proof of principle for an effective new preservation method that expands donor options and improves transplant success rates.
Impact Statement
This project aims to transform the way we preserve complex tissue transplants, like those involving skin, muscle, and bone, by using a special solution made from stem cells found in fat tissue. Currently, these transplants can only stay alive for 4-6 hours, which limits the number of available donors and the time surgeons have to perform the operation. The new solution, rich in beneficial proteins and antioxidants, could help keep the transplanted tissue healthy for a longer period, reducing damage and improving overall tissue quality. This breakthrough could make more transplants possible and lead to better surgical outcomes for millions of patients in the U.S. who need complex reconstructive surgeries.
Biography
An aspiring plastic surgeon-scientist, I began my journey in liberal arts building a strong foundation in critical thinking and communication skills, preparing me for the diverse demands of a surgical career. My early experience as an Undergraduate Researcher at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in the neuroscience lab of Dr. Thomas Jhou allowed me to present my work at several conferences. For years after, I continued research as a technician, performing numerous rodent surgeries. My passion for surgery led me to the MUSC College of Medicine, where my dedication to research earned me an institutional pilot grant, the College of Medicine Research Excellence Award, and high impact publications in prestigious journals such as Neuron and Journal of Neuroscience.
During my general surgery residency at New York Medical College Metropolitan, performing oncological resections ignited my passion for reconstructive surgery. To integrate scientific research with clinical practice, I secured a coveted position in the NYU Department of Plastic Surgery Research Fellowship working under leading experts in vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA). Together, we piloted a project to enhance VCA preservation. I aim to advance composite transplantation methods by merging my surgical acumen with my bench research skills. This opportunity is instrumental in my path to becoming a plastic surgeon-scientist dedicated to improving functional and aesthetic outcomes for patients.
An aspiring plastic surgeon-scientist, I began my journey in liberal arts building a strong foundation in critical thinking and communication skills, preparing me for the diverse demands of a surgical career. My early experience as an Undergraduate Researcher at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in the neuroscience lab of Dr. Thomas Jhou allowed me to present my work at several conferences. For years after, I continued research as a technician, performing numerous rodent surgeries. My passion for surgery led me to the MUSC College of Medicine, where my dedication to research earned me an institutional pilot grant, the College of Medicine Research Excellence Award, and high impact publications in prestigious journals such as Neuron and Journal of Neuroscience.
During my general surgery residency at New York Medical College Metropolitan, performing oncological resections ignited my passion for reconstructive surgery. To integrate scientific research with clinical practice, I secured a coveted position in the NYU Department of Plastic Surgery Research Fellowship working under leading experts in vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA). Together, we piloted a project to enhance VCA preservation. I aim to advance composite transplantation methods by merging my surgical acumen with my bench research skills. This opportunity is instrumental in my path to becoming a plastic surgeon-scientist dedicated to improving functional and aesthetic outcomes for patients.