J.P. Santerre

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J.P. Santerre

Professor

Director, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering
Department of Biological and Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry
Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering

Contact Information

University of Toronto
Rosebrugh Building, Room 407
164 College Street
Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9
Email: paul.santerre@utoronto.ca
Office: (416) 979-4903 x4341

Research Interests

Polymer Biodegradation and Drug Polymers

Biomaterial selection has been a challenging problem in the development process of implants, particularly for long-term devices where the biostability of the materials is a principal concern. Dr. Santerre's work has studied the kinetics of enzyme induced degradation of polymers (specifically polyurethanes, PMMA and polyethylene) in the presence of monocytes and neutrophils. The work indicates that not only do the enzymes recognize different chemistries but they also appear to respond to changes in structural domains within the material micro-structure. This work has led to a more in depth understanding of the processes of biodegradation and has pointed towards methods of inhibiting hydrolytic and oxidative degradation of polymeric implant materials. The research team has developed a new family of fluoropolymeric additives that have the ability to alter and provide elastomers with hydrophobicity character greater than of Teflon. Simultaneously these materials show up to 30% reduction in protein adsorption as a -result of the chemical stability and low surface energy of the flurochemistry. These new materials are being patented for cardiovascular and membrane transport applications. The research in the area of biodegradation has also permitted the design of polymer chains that can be specifically degraded by enzyme systems in order to provide therapeutic bioactivity. The first application of this work is being pursued with the development of polymers that release potent antimicrobial agents from the backbone of the polymer when exposed to a host tissue inflammatory response which is related to both implantation trauma and infection. Work in the area of dental restorative materials is proceeding towards understanding the relationship between polymers and peridontal disease. It is anticipated that the new antimicrobial materials will have direct applications in this area.

For more information, contact his web page at the Faculty of Dentistry.

Awards and Honours:

Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science - Inducted February 2011
Julia Levy Award from the Canadian Society for Chemical Industry for commercialisation of innovation in Canada, in the field of Bio-medical Science and Engineering, March 2010
Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, October 2008, inducted in February 2009
Honorary member award, Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Society, for outstanding contribution to the art, science, or literature of dentistry, June 7, 2005
Fellow, Biomaterials Science and Engineering (FBSE), Life time achievement May 2004
Connaught New Faculty Award- University of Toronto ($30,000), May 1994 - May 1996
Ontario Ministry of Health Career Scientist Award, Nov. 1993 – June 1998

Recent Publications

Protein binding mediation of biomaterial-dependent monocyte activation on a degradable polar hydrophobic ionic polyurethane. Battiston KG, Labow RS, Santerre JP. Biomaterials. 2012 Aug 30.

Characterization of the annulus fibrosus-vertebral body interface: identification of new structural features. Nosikova YS, Santerre JP, Grynpas M, Gibson G, Kandel RA. J Anat. 2012 Jul 3.

Electrospun elastin-like polypeptide enriched polyurethanes and their interactions with vascular smooth muscle cells. Blit PH, Battiston KG, Yang M, Paul Santerre J, Woodhouse KA. Acta Biomater. 2012 Jul. 8(7):2493-503.

Differences in protein binding and cytokine release from monocytes on commercially sourced tissue culture polystyrene. Battiston KG, McBane JE, Labow RS, Paul Santerre J. Acta Biomater. 2012 Jan. 8(1):89-98.

Use of monocyte/endothelial cell co-cultures (in vitro) and a subcutaneous implant mouse model (in vivo) to evaluate a degradable polar hydrophobic ionic polyurethane.
McDonald SM, Matheson LA, McBane JE, Kuraitis D, Suuronen E, Santerre JP, Labow RS. J Cell Biochem. 2011 Dec. 112(12):3762-72.

Co-culturing monocytes with smooth muscle cells improves cell distribution within a degradable polyurethane scaffold and reduces inflammatory cytokines. McBane JE, Cai K, Labow RS, Santerre JP. Acta Biomater. 2012 Feb. 8(2):488-501.

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University of Toronto Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering

J.P. Santerre

Professor