University of Calgary
Schmidt, Dr. Tannin A.
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**GRAD STUDENT POSITION AVAILABLE** Tannin A. Schmidt, Ph.D. To display this information you need Acrobat Reader
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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 boundary lubrication through clinical, biochemical and engineering collaborations. Relevant areas 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. This work could ultimately lead to the development of new cell or tissue based treatments that may halt or reverse the progressive loss of cartilage after sports injury or with aging and arthritis.
CURRENT WORK
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. 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 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). Current investigations use biomechanical-biotribological (boundary lubrication), biophysical, and biochemical methods.
Through increased understanding of PRG4’s contribution to knee joint maintenance and health, the desired outcome is to contribute to the development of treatments or therapeutics that 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.
PUBLICATIONS
To view Tannin A. Schmidt’s publications please see his Curriculum Vitae (PDF format)