Tannin A. Schmidt
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Tannin A. Schmidt, Ph.D.
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POSITION
EDUCATION
RESEARCH INTERESTS
DESIRED OUTCOME
PUBLICATIONS
Assistant Professor; Faculty of Kinesiology, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Centre for Bioengineering Research and Education
| 2006-2008 | Instructor/ Post-Doctoral Fellow; Rush University Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine (Rheumatology) & Department of Biochemistry |
| 2002-2006 | Ph.D.; University of California – San Diego, Department of Bioengineering |
| 2000-2002 | M.Sc.; University of California – San Diego, Department of Bioengineering |
| 1996-2000 | B.A.Sc; University of Toronto, Division of Engineering Science |
My research interests in bioengineering lie within biomechanics, biotribology, and biochemistry. My long term research interests include mechanistic based, multidisciplinary study of articular cartilage and ocular surface boundary lubrication through clinical, biochemical and engineering collaborations with the use of biomechanical, biochemical and biophysical methods. Relevant areas in articular cartilage lubrication include the study of normal, injured, and diseased cartilage and synovial fluid, where composition and interactions of mechanically relevant biomolecules can be altered, as well as other tissues in the joint affected by injury and disease. Similarly for ocular cartilage lubrication, relevant areas include the study of normal and diseased ocular tissues as well as lubricating macromolecules present at these surfaces, which can be altered in disease. Collectively this work could ultimately lead to the development of new cell or tissue based treatments that may 1) halt or reverse the progressive loss of cartilage after sports injury or with aging and arthritis, 2) provide a therapeutically effect treatment option for those who suffer from symptoms associated with dry eye disease.
My current work involves examination and elucidation of the structure-function relationship governing the multiple biological properties of proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) that contribute to the overall maintenance and integrity of the knee joint and ocular surface. PRG4, a multimeric, mucin-like glycoprotein secreted by cells that line the synovial joint, is present at the surface of synovial tissues and in synovial fluid. PRG4 is also expressed by cells at, and is present on, the ocular surface. PRG4 structure and abundance in synovial fluid is altered and diminished, respectively, after a traumatic knee injury which is associated with an increased incidence of osteoarthritis (OA). Altered PRG4 expression may play a role in the development and persistence of dry eye disease, with symptoms of discomfort, visual disturbance, and potential damage to the ocular surface. Current investigations use biomechanical-biotribological (boundary lubrication), biophysical, and biochemical methods.
Through increased understanding of PRG4’s contribution to knee joint and ocular surface maintenance and health, the desired outcome is to contribute to the development of treatments or therapeutics that 1) stop, slow, and/or reverse the progressive degeneration of articular cartilage that leads to the well established high occurrence of OA in post injury knee joints; 2) provide relief to those who suffer from symptoms associated with dry eye disease.
PUBLICATIONS
To view Tannin A. Schmidt’s publications please see his Curriculum Vitae (PDF format)