Biography

Digital Works: https://works.bepress.com/cristina-iftode/

Education:
BS (Biochemistry; Cell Biology and Genetics), University of Bucharest, Romania
PhD (Cellular and Molecular Biology), New York University Medical Center
Postdoctoral (Molecular Virology), Princeton University

Research Expertise:
Stem cell differentiation | Replication and transcription of DNA viruses

My research interests are: 1) human stem cells and biomaterials in regenerative medicine, and 2) isolation and characterization of secondary plant metabolites.

1) I study the application of the adipose derived-mesenchymal stem cell (AD-MSC) differentiation to the regeneration of the intervertebral disc tissue. In collaboration with the Departments of Chemical and Mechanical Engineering, my group is using a tissue engineering approach where cell-seeded injectable scaffolds and inducers of differentiation are delivered to the injury site. Characterization of differentiation toward the desired phenotype is assessed by the presence of tissue specific markers. 

In collaboration with the Department of Physics & Astronomy, I examine the medical applicability of protein-based biomaterials in combination with AD-MSCs.

2) I also am interested in culturing methods from meristematic plant cells for the production of secondary plant metabolites (SPMs). Together with a colleague from my department, we are expanding the application of this technique to extracting SPMs from plant species with uses in medicine and cosmetology.

Honors and Awards:
Rowan University’s Collaborative Innovation in Tissue Engineering Award, 2016

Member of:
American Society for Cell Biology Chemical Society (www.ascb.org)
American Society for Microbiology (www.asm.org)
American Society for Virology (www.asv.org)

Recent Publications:
Christiani T, Toomer K, Sheehan J, Nitzl A, Branda A, England E, Graney P, Iftode C, Vernengo AJ (2016) Synthesis of Thermogelling Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-graft-chondroitin Sulfate Composites with Alginate Microparticles for Tissue Engineering, J Vis Exp. 11:482, e53704.

Wiltsey C, Christiani T, Williams J, Scaramazza J, Van Sciver C, Toomer K, Sheehan J, Branda A, Nitzl A, England E, Kadlowec J, Iftode C, Vernengo J (2015) Thermogelling Bioadhesive Scaffolds for Intervertebral Disc Tissue Engineering: Preliminary In Vitro Comparison of Aldehyde-Based Versus Alginate Microparticle-Mediated Adhesion, Acta Biomater. 15:71-80.

Wiltsey C, Kubinski P, Christiani T, Toomer K, Sheehan J, Branda A, Kadlowec J, Iftode C, Vernengo J (2013) Characterization of Injectable Hydrogels Based on Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-g-chondroitin sulfate with Adhesive Properties for Nucleus Pulposus Tissue Engineering, J Mater Sci: Mater Med. 24:837-847.