UW Bioengineering Professor Buddy Ratner has received one of two Most Cited Article awards from the Annals of Biomedical Engineering, the official journal of the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES). The Annals of Biomedical Engineering is an interdisciplinary, international journal which presents original and review articles in the major fields of bioengineering and biomedical engineering.
In recognition of this honor, Dr. Ratner will receive a public recognition and a monetary award during the awards ceremony of this year’s BMES Annual Meeting, held in October in Tampa, Fla.
The article’s co-authors include BioE alumni Dr. Eric Sussman and Michelle Halpin. The article, entitled “Porous Implants Modulate Healing and Induce Shifts in Local Macrophage Polarization in the Foreign Body Reaction,” investigates factors which contribute to foreign body reaction (FBR), the body’s response to implanted biomaterials.
This response can adversely impact the function of medical devices by interfering with the device’s integration with the body, blocking blood supply and long-term release of drugs. Researchers have long been interested in developing a better understanding of FBR in order to devise strategies for eliminating it.
Dr. Ratner, a pioneer of the biomaterials field, focuses on creating “biomaterials that heal” that enhance the performance and function of medical devices. His research interests include biomaterials, tissue engineering, polymers, biocompatibility and surface analysis of organic materials. Dr. Ratner’s work has revolutionized knowledge in the field and made significant clinical impact. Particularly interested in technology commercialization, Dr. Ratner holds more than 20 patents and has participated in the launch of several companies based upon his work.