Our Mission
The Vanderbilt Center for Matrix Biology, associated with Vanderbilt University Medical Center, is an interdepartmental group of basic and clinical scientists, whose research involves different aspects of biology of the extracellular matrices. The Center currently includes numerous members from different departments with research interests comprising such areas as angiogenesis, biomaterials, tumor microenvironment, wound repair, diabetic complications, fibrosis, and tissue regeneration.
The mission of the Center is to foster cohesive interactions among scientists to facilitate collaborations and promote excellence in matrix research.
Furthermore, Vanderbilt Center for Matrix Biology aims to support and develop a model science education pipeline with Aspirnaut™, a K-20 STEM Pipeline for Diversity. The goal is to elevate STEM achievement in students from disadvantaged backgrounds as a means to increase the number and diversity of students entering the STEM workforce.
Billy Hudson, PhD - Director
Sergey Budko, PhD - Associate Director
Research Areas
An approach to understand the chemical and physicochemical processes that occur within living organisms.
15 Members
The synthetic or natural material suitable for use in constructing artificial organs and prostheses or to replace bone or tissue.
11 Members
The study of a disease in which a group of abnormal cells grow uncontrollably by disregarding the normal rules of cell division.
9 Members
A metabolic disease in which the body’s inability to produce any or enough insulin causes elevated levels of glucose in the blood.
13 Members
Drug discovery is the process by which new candidate medications are discovered.
11 Members
<p>Extracellular matrix (ECM) receptors are proteins for communication between the cells and the matrix.</p>
3 Members
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An approach to understanding biology through the development and diversification of earlier forms
6 Members
Excessive fibrous connective tissue in an organ or tissue in a reparative or reactive process.
24 Members
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The Aspirnaut Program
as·pir·naut = one who aspires, seeks and achieves
Founded in 2006 by two Vanderbilt faculty members, the program was launched as an online-learning-on-the-bus initiative in rural, Arkansas in 2006. Since the first pilot on rural school bus routes where students completed online curriculum, Aspirnaut™ has evolved to a K-20 STEM pipeline program for diversity that partners the experiential and content expertise of Vanderbilt University Medical Center with rural K-12 schools and diverse high school, undergraduate and graduate students.
