Dr. Peter Lelkes joined the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems this fall as Calhoun Chair Professor of Cellular Tissue Engineering, following 12 years on the faculty of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical School.

An expert in generating cells and growing cultured cells into tissue, Lelkes and his co-workers and students have conducted essential research in generating tissue in bioreactors under conditions that simulate microgravity. Their experiments also flew aboard MIR space station missions.

Lelkes recently discovered that the effects of microgravity are felt even at the level of individual cells. "It was originally believed that cells could only grow or react when acted upon by gravity," says Lelkes. His findings have been published in prominent peer-reviewed journals, including Nature Medicine and American Journal of Physiology.

A new set of Lelkes' experiments will be among the first scientific studies to be conducted on the International Space Station next spring. Lelkes says there are attractive advantages to growing tissue in microgravity. "The tissue cells are exposed to less stress and they aggregate together more readily. Microgravity conditions will not produce tissue faster than under normal conditions, but they will produce optimal results."

Lelkes says his studies will help eventually to cure patients who suffer from chronic pain, Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. "There are thousands of patients who desperately need transplants," said Lelkes. "This research will benefit those who must wait years or never receive needed transplants."

Lelkes and six Drexel faculty members are collaborating to continue his ongoing studies. He also foresees future collaboration between Drexel and MCP Hahnemann researchers and regional companies in microgravity tissue engineering.