Grants We Funded

Abstract
Although effective techniques exist for cleft palate closure, post-repair complications of an oronasal fistula may be problematic. AlloDerm or acellular dermis has been used successfully in a cleft palate animal model and in a few clinical cases (1). Improvement of this procedure with cellular seeding of AlloDerm may maximize the chance for healing. In our two-part study, we will attempt to develop a superior tissue engineering scaffold that can ultimately promote osteogenesis and heal cleft palate defects. 1. In our in vitro study, we will determine if AlloDerm may act as suitable matrix for adipose derived stem cells (ASCs) in promoting cell growth, aggregation, and differentiation using DNA proliferation assays and RT-PCR for osteogenic factors. 2. In our in vivo study, we will determine if an AlloDerm/ASC construct may be used to heal oronasal cleft defects in athymic rat model with histologic analysis. Our goal is to determine the efficacy of lipoaspirate stem cells (PLA cells) seeded in AlloDerm, an acellular collagen-based dermal matrix, in healing alveolar cleft defects. We hypothesize that AlloDerm will ensure homogenous ASC proliferation and distribution and promote bone growth in order to treat cleft-palatal defects. This tissue engineering strategy may then be used clinically in the operating room without the need for creation of a laboratory bioreactor.

Biography
Dr. Bradley is currently the Bernard Sarnat Professor of Plastic Surgery and Chief of Pediatric Plastic Surgery at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is also the Director of the Kawamoto Craniofacial Fellowship and Chief of Plastic Surgery at Olive View Medical Center. He is Board Certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. Dr. Bradley received his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Notre Dame for Anthropology and Art. In Philadelphia, he matriculated at Thomas Jefferson Medical College where he received his Medical Degree. He then trained in General Surgery at Pennsylvania Hospital. In Manhattan, he completed his plastic surgery training at the Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, New York University. In Los Angeles, Dr. Bradley did additional training in Craniofacial Surgery at UCLA under Dr. Henry Kawamoto. In Pittsburgh, he directed the Craniofacial Surgery Program and was the Chief of Pediatric Plastic Surgery at the University for several years before returning to Los Angeles. Clinically, Dr. Bradley specializes in Craniofacial Surgery and volunteers internationally to help children with Craniofacial deformities. He is active in the bone tissue engineering laboratory at UCLA. He has published over 100 scientific papers, written over 20 chapters and edited 3 books. He also has a strong interest in not-for-profit foundation work aimed at children with facial deformities.