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Overview

The Cullen Laboratory applies Neural Engineering principles and technologies to the area of Neurotrauma.  A biomedical engineering approach is used to better understand the causative mechanisms of neural injury as well as to develop cutting-edge neural tissue engineering-based treatments to promote regeneration and restore function.

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Funding

The Cullen Laboratory has been built with significant support from the Department of Neurosurgery. Our research receives additional funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, the University Research Foundation at the University of Pennsylvania, and Axonia Medical, Inc.

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Contact Information

D. Kacy Cullen, Ph.D
105E Hayden Hall, 3320 Smith Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104
dkacy@mail.med.upenn.edu

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Neurosurgery

News and Events

  • Commentary by Dr. Cullen was featured in a blog post about brain-based neural electrical interface systems: innovation-how-a-paralyzed-peson-uses-thoughts-to-control-a-robotic-arm
  • Dr. Cullen was interviewed for a blog post regarding the effects of traumatic brain injury on NFL athletes: http://physicsbuzz.physicscentral.com/2012/05/physics-of-hit-football-concussions.html
  • The Cullen Lab was awarded a grant from Axonia Medical, Inc. to advance novel neural tissue engineering technology to improve neuroregeneration following severe peripheral nerve injury.
  • A new company, Cerebid Technologies, has been formed by Dr. Cullen along with Ray Krauss, Douglas Smith and Shu Yang, to focus on translating their unique blast-sensitive photonic nanocrystals. These photonic nanocrystals, which change color following exposure to blast, are being developed as a "Blast Badge" to measure an individual soldiers blast exposure levels relative to thresholds for blast-induced traumatic brain injury, the "signature injury" in warfighters in Iraq and Afghanistan.
  • Dr. Cullen was invited to give a research talk at the Neuroprotection Research Seminar Series through the Shock, Trauma and Anesthesiology Research Center (STAR-ORC) at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. He presented "Closed-Head Blast vs. Inertial TBI: Cellular Biophysical Responses and Neurophysiological Sequela".
  • Dr. Cullen was an Invited Speaker at the 2nd World Congress on Biotechnology in Philadelphia, PA. He presented "Neural Tissue Engineering Strategies for Cell Replacement and Axon Regeneration".
  • Dr. Cullen gave Neurosurgical Grand Rounds at the University of Rochester in Rochester, NY entitled "Altered Neurophysiology and Neuropathology following Closed-Head TBI".
  • Dr. Cullen was an Invited Speaker at the Department of Defense Advanced Technology Applications for Combat Casualty Care (ATACCC) Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He presented "Neuropathological and Functional Changes following Non-Impact, Closed-Head Acceleration/Deceleration-Induced TBI".

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