The Karp Lab works at the interface of stem cell biology, material science, engineering, and medicine to develop state of the art medical diagnostics and therapeutics. A major focus of Dr. Karp’s group is the study and development of stem cell based therapeutics for addressing the biggest limitations in engineering replacement tissues and organs. Recently Dr. Karp described a new technology to enhance the homing of mesenchymal stem cells to sites of inflammation (Bioconjug Chem. 2008 Nov 19;19(11):2105-9) and has reviewed methods to study the homing of mesenchymal stem cells (Cell Stem Cell, 2009, Mar;4(3): 206-216) and new opportunities to manipulate and track stem cells (Cell Stem Cell, 2008, Aug;3(2) 136-146). Dr. Karp has developed microscale devices to capture free flowing stem cells and cancer cells based on cell rolling that is useful for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications (Langmuir, 2007, Nov 20;23(24):12261-12268 AND Nano Lett. 2008 Apr;8(4):1153-8). Dr. Karp’s lab was the first to demonstrate that human embryonic stem cells can be completely differentiated down the osteogenic lineage to produce the early hallmarks of de novo bone formation and described a new technique for amplifying differentiated cell types (Stem Cells, 2005, Apr;24(4):835-43). Dr. Karp is also passionate about creating new systems for studying migration of progenitor cells (Bone. 2005 Sep;37(3):337-48) and has developed animal models for studying tissue regeneration in vivo (J Craniofac Surg, 2003 May;14(3):317-23). Other specific interests include the development of polymeric devices to rapidly isolate mesenchymal stem cells from adult tissues and the development of an intra-operative stem cell therapy that involves the rapid isolation and programming of stem cells to treat wounds in emergent situations. Dr. Karp develops biomimetic gecko-inspired adhesive devices (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Feb 19;105(7):2307-12.) that strongly adhere to soft tissue to release cytokines to activate and stimulate the migration of host stem cells to aid in tissue repair or regeneration (e.g. delivery of SDF-1 to an ischemic heart tissue through a drug delivery heart patch).

In addition to his translational goals, Dr. Karp is dedicated to the development of next generation bioengineers to work at the forefront of regenerative medicine. Dr. Karp was recently recognized as the 2008 top undergraduate mentor among all faculty at MIT and in 2009 received 6.8/7.0 course evaluation for a course that he teaches at MIT.