The mission of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) is to harness the body’s ability to heal itself. Using biomaterials, genetic engineering, stem and progenitor cells, and tissue engineering modalities, the Institute investigates translational approaches ranging from gene and cell therapy to the replacement of damaged organs with engineered tissues. More than 130 investigators, students, research fellows, and postdocs work on more than 80 formal research programs. The WFIRM is a truly multidisciplinary environment where biologists, engineers, chemists, materials scientists, and clinicians of all types work side-by-side in a large, open laboratory environment. The training philosophy stresses interactions between investigators with different backgrounds in a team-environment to solve challenging clinical problems.

Colin Bishop The overall focus of my laboratory concerns the genetics of primary sex determination, germ cell development and fertility.

Martin Childers Cell therapy for muscular dystrophies, whole muscle and single fiber physiology.

George Christ Cell and tissue physiology, advanced tissue maturation

Shay Soker Stem and progenitor cell biology and genomics, molecular biology, angiogenesis

Mark Van Dyke Genomics-guided biomaterials development, interaction of stem and progenitor cells with biomaterials, keratin biomaterials

Stephen Walker Dr. Walker is broadly interested in using and developing molecular tools, especially array-based and sequencing technologies, to better understand transcriptional control that underlies development and disease processes.

James Yoo Tissue engineering and clinical translation