Our group studies regulation of cellular function by the healthy and diseased microenvironment. In particular, we focus on cell-cell interactions, drug delivery, and design of biomaterials for applications in molecular and cellular therapeutics and human disease modeling. Areas of interest include mechanisms of tumor progression and the development of novel treatments for metastatic cancer, molecular transport across physiological barriers, stem cell-derived models of healthy and diseased tissues, and biomanufacturing technologies for emerging cell-based immune therapies. Throughout these efforts, we integrate quantitative analysis of biological processes with tissue engineering approaches and novel biomaterial platforms.
Email: azarin@umn.edu
Phone: 612/301-3488
Office: 283 Amundson Hall