We develop cell-instructive biomaterials to study mechanisms of stem cell-niche interactions, disease modeling, stem cell manufacturing, and stem cell therapy. Our long-term goal is to engineer translatable therapies for treating skeletal muscle trauma and diseases. <\/span><\/p>\n ” content_phone=”<\/p>\n We develop cell-instructive biomaterials to study mechanisms of stem cell-niche interactions, disease modeling, stem cell manufacturing, and stem cell therapy. Our long-term goal is to engineer translatable therapies for treating skeletal muscle trauma and diseases. <\/span><\/p>\n ” content_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Open Sans|600|||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_font=”Poppins||||||||” header_font_size=”36px” header_line_height=”1.4em” background_layout=”dark” max_width=”808px” min_height=”352.3px” custom_padding=”|0px|0px|||” inline_fonts=”Arimo” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n We study how cells feel and respond to force\u2014then we use that to rebuild functional muscle.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ specialty=”on” admin_label=”Features” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#000000″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_stops=”#000000 0%|#000000 100%” background_color_gradient_start=”#000000″ background_color_gradient_end=”#000000″ background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”initial” min_height=”586.9px” custom_padding=”70px||70px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ specialty_columns=”2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=”4.16″ background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”contain” custom_margin=”||-108px|||” custom_padding=”||117px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_2_font=”Poppins||||||||” header_2_font_size=”28px” header_2_line_height=”1.4em” header_3_font=”||||||||” module_alignment=”center” min_height=”184.6px” custom_padding=”||0px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Rotator cuff tendon injuries are common and affect over 30% of the adult population. While surgical reattachment procedures are routinely performed, failure and re-tear rates remain high and worsen with aging. This is attributed to progressive degeneration of the associated muscles characterized by atrophy and intramuscular fatty infiltration, where fatty infiltration is caused by aberrant adipogenesis of the muscle-resident fibro-adipogenic progenitors. We recently determined that Wnt7a effectively suppresses the adipogenic potential of fibro-adipogenic progenitors through YAP\/TAZ signaling. To this end, we are currently working to (1) unveil the roles of Wnt and mechanotransduction pathways in regulating fibro-adipogenic progenitor fates, and (2) develop hydrogel-based strategies for combating intramuscular fatty infiltration and atrophy in rotator cuff muscle disease in the context of aging.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Santiago, LM; Oguntuyo, K; Chin-Young, B; Fang, F; Amabile, A; Han, WM \u201cWNT7A mRNA Lipid Nanoparticles Promote Muscle Hypertrophy and Reduce Skeletal Muscle Fatty Infiltration<\/a>,\u201d Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering<\/strong><\/em>,<\/u> 2025, In Press.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/div>\n Fu, C; Chin-Young, B; Park, G; Guzman-Seda, M; Laudier, D; Han, WM \u201cWNT7a Suppresses Adipogenesis of Skeletal Muscle Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Fatty Infiltration Through the Alternative Wnt-Rho-YAP\/TAZ Signaling Axis<\/a>\u201d\u00a0Stem Cell Reports<\/em><\/strong><\/span>, 2023, 18(4): P999-1014.<\/span><\/p>\n Fu, C; Huang, AH; Galatz, LM; Han, WM \u201cCellular and Molecular Modulation of Rotator Cuff Muscle Pathophysiology<\/a>\u201d\u00a0Journal of Orthopaedic Research<\/strong><\/span><\/em>, 2021, 39:2310-2322.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/labs.icahn.mssm.edu\/woojinhanlab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/362\/2023\/01\/Picture10.jpg” title_text=”Picture10″ align=”right” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”500px” module_alignment=”center” max_height=”500px” max_height_last_edited=”off|phone” custom_margin=”30px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” scroll_fade_enable=”on” module_alignment_tablet=”center” module_alignment_phone=”center” module_alignment_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ specialty=”on” admin_label=”Features” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#ffffff” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_stops=”#000000 0%|#161616 100%” background_color_gradient_start=”#000000″ background_color_gradient_end=”#161616″ min_height=”478.3px” custom_margin=”-2px||2px|||” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/labs.icahn.mssm.edu\/woojinhanlab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/362\/2020\/10\/178163_web.jpg” title_text=”178163_web” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”500px” max_width_tablet=”” max_width_phone=”400px” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_height=”500px” custom_margin=”25px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” scroll_fade_enable=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ specialty_columns=”2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=”4.16″ width=”100%” min_height=”227.9px” custom_margin=”||10px|||” custom_padding=”||23px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Poppins||||||||” header_2_font_size=”28px” header_2_line_height=”1.4em” header_3_font=”||||||||” module_alignment=”center” min_height=”227.2px” custom_margin=”||-60px|||” custom_padding=”||23px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Muscle stem cell transplantation is a promising strategy to treat skeletal muscle injuries and diseases, but a direct injection of cells results in poor donor cell survival, engraftment, and function of transplanted cells. Methods to maintain and expand therapeutically potent muscle stem cells ex vivo for clinical translation also remain a significant challenge. To this end, we are\u00a0 engineering cell-instructive biomaterial-based technologies to (1) facilitate the transplantation of muscle stem cells, (2) augment muscle regeneration in musculoskeletal injuries and diseases, and (3) systematically understand how muscle stem cells integrate biophysical & biochemical cues derived from their geometrically asymmetric niche to regulate their function.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Han, WM; Mohiuddin, M; Anderson, SE; Garc\u00eda, AJ*; Jang, YC* \u201cCo-delivery of Wnt7a and Muscle Stem Cells using Synthetic Bioadhesive Hydrogel Enhances Murine Muscle Regeneration and Cell Migration during Engraftment<\/a>\u201d\u00a0Acta Biomaterialia<\/u><\/em><\/strong>, 2019, 96, 243-252. *Co-PI.\u00a0PMID:<\/strong>\u00a031228633.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Han, WM; Anderson, SE; Mohiuddin, M; Barros, D; Nakhai, SA; Shin, E; Amaral, IF; P\u00eago, AP; Garc\u00eda, AJ*; Jang, YC* \u201cSynthetic Matrix Enhances Transplanted Satellite Cell Engraftment in Dystrophic and Aged Skeletal Muscle with Comorbid Trauma<\/a>\u201d\u00a0Science Advances<\/u><\/em><\/strong>, 2018, 4:eaar4008. *Co-PI.\u00a0PMID:<\/strong>\u00a030116776.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ specialty=”on” admin_label=”Features” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#000000″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_stops=”#161616 0%|#000000 100%” background_color_gradient_start=”#161616″ background_color_gradient_end=”#000000″ background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”initial” min_height=”604.9px” custom_margin=”-3px|||||” custom_padding=”70px||70px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ specialty_columns=”2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=”4.16″ background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”contain” custom_margin=”||-1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_2_font=”Poppins||||||||” header_2_font_size=”28px” header_2_line_height=”1.4em” header_3_font=”||||||||” module_alignment=”center” min_height=”184.6px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Physical forces play a critical role in regulating cell function, particularly in mechanically dynamic musculoskeletal tissues. To understand how cells sense and respond to these forces across multiple length scales, we integrate in vivo models, native tissues, and engineered biomaterials. Our work has explored how externally applied strain is transmitted from the tissue level to resident cells, influencing early mechanotransductive responses in fiber-reinforced soft tissues. More recently, we have investigated how 3D mechanical confinement regulates muscle stem cell (MuSC) fate and function, revealing its role as a mechanical brake on MuSC activation. By leveraging biomaterial platforms that mimic key biophysical features of native tissues, we can systematically dissect the interplay between mechanical forces, microenvironmental constraints, and cellular behavior. This approach enables us to study mechanobiological regulation in both healthy and pathological states, advancing our understanding of how physical cues shape cell function and tissue regeneration.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Park, G; Grey, JA; Mourkioti, F; Han, WM “3D Mechanical Confinement Directs Muscle Stem Cell Fate and Function<\/a>” Advanced Biology<\/strong><\/em><\/span>, 2025,\u00a09 (4), 2570098<\/span>. PMID: 40040295.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Han, WM\u2207; Heo, SJ\u2207; Driscoll, DP; Delucca, JF; McLeod, CM; Smith, LJ; Duncan, RL; Mauck, RL*; Elliott, DM* \u201cMicrostructural heterogeneity directs micromechanics and mechanobiology in native and engineered fibrocartilage<\/a>\u201d\u00a0Nature Materials<\/u><\/em><\/strong>, 2016, 15, 477-484. \u2207Co-Authors. *Co-PI.\u00a0PMID:<\/strong>\u00a026726994.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Han, WM; Heo, SJ; Driscoll, TP; Mauck, RL; Smith, LJ; Elliott, DM \u201cMacro to Micro-scale Strain Transfer in Fibrous Tissues is Heterogeneous and Tissue-Specific<\/a>\u201d\u00a0Biophysical Journal<\/u><\/em><\/strong>, 2013, 105, 807-817.\u00a0PMID: 23931328.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image 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_module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Poppins||||||||” header_2_font_size=”28px” header_2_line_height=”1.4em” header_3_font=”||||||||” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”700px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”-46px||-15px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-175px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/labs.icahn.mssm.edu\/woojinhanlab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/362\/2021\/04\/Asset-3-e1631740846164.png” 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While surgical reattachment procedures are routinely performed, failure and re-tear rates remain high and worsen with aging. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":427,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" We develop cell-instructive biomaterials to study mechanisms of stem cell-niche interactions, disease modeling, stem cell manufacturing, and stem cell therapy. Our long-term goal is to engineer translatable therapies for treating skeletal muscle trauma and diseases.<\/p> Rotator cuff tendon injuries are common and affect over 30% of the adult population. While surgical reattachment procedures are routinely performed, failure and re-tear rates remain high and worsen with aging. This is attributed to progressive degeneration of the associated muscles characterized by atrophy and intramuscular fatty infiltration, where fatty infiltration is caused by aberrant adipogenesis of the muscle-resident fibro-adipogenic progenitors. We recently determined that Wnt7a effectively suppresses the adipogenic potential of fibro-adipogenic progenitors through YAP\/TAZ signaling. To this end, we are currently working to (1) unveil the roles of Wnt and mechanotransduction pathways in regulating fibro-adipogenic progenitor fates, and (2) develop hydrogel-based strategies for combating intramuscular fatty infiltration and atrophy in rotator cuff muscle disease in the context of aging.<\/p> Fu, C; Guzman-Seda, M; Laudier, D; Han, WM \u201cWnt7a Suppresses Adipogenesis of Skeletal Muscle Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Fatty Infiltration Through the Alternative Wnt-Rho-YAP\/TAZ Signaling Axis<\/a>\u201d\u00a0BioRxiv<\/em><\/span>, 2022.<\/p> Fu, C; Huang, AH; Galatz, LM; Han, WM \"Cellular and Molecular Modulation of Rotator Cuff Muscle Pathophysiology<\/a>\" Journal of Orthopaedic Research<\/span>, 2021, 39:2310-2322.<\/p> Muscle stem cell transplantation is a promising strategy to treat skeletal muscle injuries and diseases, but a direct injection of cells results in poor donor cell survival, engraftment, and function of transplanted cells. Methods to maintain and expand therapeutically potent muscle stem cells ex vivo for clinical translation also remain a significant challenge. To this end, our research focuses on engineering cell-instructive biomaterial-based technologies to (1) facilitate the transplantation of muscle stem cells, (2) augment muscle regeneration in musculoskeletal injuries and diseases, and (3) systematically understand how muscle stem cells integrate biophysical & biochemical cues derived from their geometrically asymmetric niche to regulate their function.<\/p> Han, WM; Mohiuddin, M; Anderson, SE; Garc\u00eda, AJ*; Jang, YC* \u201cCo-delivery of Wnt7a and Muscle Stem Cells using Synthetic Bioadhesive Hydrogel Enhances Murine Muscle Regeneration and Cell Migration during Engraftment<\/a>\u201d Acta Biomaterialia<\/u><\/em>, 2019, 96, 243-252. *Co-PI. PMID:<\/strong> 31228633.<\/strong><\/p> Han, WM; Anderson, SE; Mohiuddin, M; Barros, D; Nakhai, SA; Shin, E; Amaral, IF; P\u00eago, AP; Garc\u00eda, AJ*; Jang, YC* \u201cSynthetic Matrix Enhances Transplanted Satellite Cell Engraftment in Dystrophic and Aged Skeletal Muscle with Comorbid Trauma<\/a>\u201d Science Advances<\/u><\/em>, 2018, 4:eaar4008. *Co-PI. PMID:<\/strong> 30116776.<\/strong><\/p> Physical forces play an important role in regulating cell function. But how do cells process externally applied physical stimuli in mechanically dynamic musculoskeletal soft tissues? We have previously established how applied tissue level strain is transferred to the underlying cells and regulates early cell responses in fiber-reinforced soft tissues. However, systematic inquiries to define the multi-scale load transfer (tissue to cells) mechanisms are challenging in native tissues due to inherent heterogeneities in structure and composition. To this end, we are engineering native tissue-mimetic biomaterial platforms that enable decoupling of biophysical and biochemical parameters across multiple length scales to understand how the load is transferred from the tissue to the underlying cells in healthy and pathologic load-bearing tissues.<\/p> Han, WM\u2207; Heo, SJ\u2207; Driscoll, DP; Delucca, JF; McLeod, CM; Smith, LJ; Duncan, RL; Mauck, RL*; Elliott, DM* \u201cMicrostructural heterogeneity directs micromechanics and mechanobiology in native and engineered fibrocartilage<\/a>\u201d Nature Materials<\/u><\/em>, 2016, 15, 477-484. \u2207Co-Authors. *Co-PI.\u00a0PMID:<\/strong> 26726994.<\/strong><\/p>RESEARCH<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
RESEARCH<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Bioengineering Strategies for Treating Rotator Cuff Muscle Disease<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Cell-Instructive Biomaterials for Muscle Stem\/Satellite Cell Manufacturing & Transplantation<\/span><\/h2>\n
Musculoskeletal Mechanobiology<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Our Sponsors<\/h2>\n
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Current Funding<\/h3>\n
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Past Funding<\/h3>\n
<\/strong>Woojin Han, PhD
<\/span>Assistant Professor
Department of Orthopaedics<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Lab: Annenberg A20-40
<\/span>Office: Annenberg A20-66A<\/span><\/p>\n
Phone: 212-241-4507<\/span>
Email:\u00a0<\/span>woojin.han -at- mssm.edu
Bluesky: @thewooj.bsky.social<\/span><\/p>\nBioengineering Strategies for Treating Rotator Cuff Muscle Disease<\/strong><\/h2>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/labs.icahn.mssm.edu\/woojinhanlab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/362\/2023\/01\/Picture1.jpg\")
<\/p>Cell-Instructive Biomaterials for Muscle Stem\/Satellite Cell Manufacturing & Transplantation<\/strong><\/h2>
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<\/p>Hierarchical Biomaterials for Musculoskeletal Soft Tissue Mechanobiology & Regeneration<\/strong><\/h2>
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