Brian Amsden is the Donald and Joan McGeachy Chair in Biomedical Engineering at Queen’s University. Following the completion of his PhD (Queen’s 1996), he worked for Angiotech Pharmaceuticals in Vancouver as a Research Associate, leading projects involving the formulation of paclitaxel for localized delivery to treat restenosis, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis. He left Angiotech to join the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Alberta in 1997 and is currently a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Queen’s University where he has been since July 2000.
Our research focus is on the creation of effective biodegradable and biocompatible polymers for biomedical applications. These applications include localized growth factor delivery for therapeutic angiogenesis and for stem cell differentiation, scaffolds for soft connective tissue engineering, and ocular drug delivery. Polymer systems being developed include biodegradable elastomers, electrospun crimped fibre scaffolds, injectable thermoplastics, and mechanically enhanced hydrogels. We are interested in elucidating the mechanisms of degradation of the polymers in vivo to better design these materials for given applications, determining the mechanisms governing drug release, the role polymer biomaterial mechanical properties play in mediating cell proliferation and differentiation, and in controlling polymer surface properties to improve cellular interactions. The work is multidisciplinary and we collaborate routinely with orthopaedic and cardiovascular surgeons, and colleagues in mechanical engineering and cell biology.
CHEE 452: Transport Phenomena in Physiological Systems
This course is an introduction to the area of mass, momentum and heat transfer processes in physiological systems. In this course the student will appreciate the role of transport phenomena in the function of organs and organ systems in the body, and develop the skills necessary to analyze models of biological transport processes in the context of the design of biomedical devices. (0/0/0/42/0)
CHEE 872: Polymer Biomaterials
This is an advanced biomaterials course focusing on polymers used in biomedical applications. Topics covered include composition-property relationships of polymers, the host implantation response, controlled release mechanisms, biodegradation of polymers, and cell-polymer interactions.
Journal Publications
BG Amsden, Degradation mechanisms of aliphatic polycarbonates and functionalized aliphatic polycarbonates, Invited Review for Macromolecular Bioscience, 21 (2021) 2100085
Amanda J Brissenden and BG Amsden*, Insights into the polymerization kinetics of thermoresponsive polytrimethylene carbonate bearing a methoxyethoxy side group, J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem, 58 (2020) 2697-2707
Arthi Shridhar, Brian G. Amsden, Elizabeth Gillies, and Lauren E Flynn*, “Investigation of the effects of tissue-specific extracellular matrix on the adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stromal cells within composite hydrogel scaffolds,” Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 7 (2019) 402.
SA Young, H Riahinezhad, BG Amsden*, “In situ-forming, mechanically resilient hydrogels for cell delivery,”Invited Review article J Mater Chem B 7 (38), 5742-5761.
L Davenport Huyer, D Bannerman, Y Wang, H Savoji, EJ Knee Walden, A Brissenden, B Yee, M Shoaib, E Bobicki, BG Amsden, M Radisic*, “One-pot synthesis of unsaturated polyester bio-elastomer with controllable material curing for microscale designs,” Advanced Healthcare Materials, 1900245, 2019.
SA Young, LE Flynn* and BG Amsden*, “Stem cells delivered in a resilient in situ forming hydrogel for therapeutic angiogenesis,” Tissue Engineering A, 24 (2018) 1784-1797.
F Chen, R. Qi, L Davenport-Huyer, and BG Amsden, “Degradation of poly(5-hydroxy-trimethylene carbonate) in aqueous environments” Polymer Degradation and Stability, 158 (2018) 83-91.
JP Chesterman, TC Hughes, and BG Amsden*, Reversibly photo-crosslinkable aliphatic polycarbonates functionalized with coumarin, Eur. Polymer J, 105 (2018) 186-193.
G Hochleitner, F Chen, C. Blum, P. Dalton, BG Amsden, and J Groll*,”Crimped elastomer scaffolds prepared through MEW with non-linear extension behaviour mimicking that of ligaments and tendons,” Acta Biomaterialia, 72 (2018) 110-120.
SA Young, SE Sherman, TT Cooper, C Brown, F Anjum, DA Hess, LE Flynn* and BG Amsden*, “Mechanically Resilient Injectable Scaffolds for Intramuscular Stem Cell Delivery and Cytokine Release” Biomaterials. 159 (2018) 146-160.
DA Louka, N Holwell, BH Thomas, F Chen, and BG Amsden*, “Highly Bioactive SDF-1α Delivery from Low-Melting-Point, Biodegradable Polymer Microspheres” ACS Biomat Sci Eng 2018, 4 (11), pp 3747–3758.
G Chen, S Taghavi, D Marecak and BG Amsden*, “Tough and enzyme-degradable hydrogels” Macromolecular Materials and Engineering, 2018: 303 (1), 1700162.
JP Chesterman, Amanda Brissenden, Fei Chen and BG Amsden*, “Cinnamoyl and Coumarin Functionalized Polycarbonates” Polymer Chemistry 8 (2017) 7515 - 7528.
F Anjum, A Carroll, S. Young, LE Flynn and BG Amsden*, “Tough semi-synthetic hydrogels for stem cell delivery for chondral defect repair”, Macromolecular Bioscience 17 (5) (2017) 1600373.
JP Chesterman and BG Amsden*, “Triethylamine-based catalysts for the melt polymerization of carbonate monomers,” Polymer Chemistry, 7 (2016) 6946-6953.
BG Amsden* and D Marecak, “Long-term sustained release from a biodegradable photo-cross-linked network for intra-ocular corticosteroid delivery,” Molecular Pharmaceutics, 13(9) (2016) 3004-3012.
JWS Hayami, SD Waldman, BG Amsden*, “Chondrocyte generation of cartilage-like tissue following photoencapsulation in methacrylated polysaccharide solution blends.” Macromolecular Bioscience, 16(7) (2016) 1083-1095.
F Chen, G Hochleitner, T Woodfield, J Groll, P. Dalton, and BG Amsden, “Additive manufacturing of photo-cross-linked structures via melt electrospinning writing,” Biomacromolecules, 17(1) (2016) 277-284.
MC Vyner and BG Amsden, “Polymer chain flexibility-induced differences in fetuin A adsorption and its implications on cell attachment and proliferation” Acta Biomaterialia, 31 (2016) 89-98.
J Yang, F Chen, BG Amsden, “Cell sheets prepared via gel-sol transition of calcium RGD-alginate” Acta Biomaterialia 30 (2016) 277-284.
T.Y. Han, S Toutounji, BG Amsden, LE Flynn*, Adipose-derived stromal cells mediate in vivo adipogenesis, angiogenesis and inflammation in decellularized adipose tissue bioscaffolds,” Biomaterials, 72 (2015) 125-137.
BG Amsden, “Novel biodegradable polymers for local growth factor delivery,” invited review for European J Pharm Biopharm 97 (2015) 318-328.
JWS Hayami, SD Waldman, BG Amsden*, “Photo-cross-linked methacrylated polysaccharide solution blends with high chondrocyte viability, minimal swelling, and moduli similar to load bearing soft tissues.” European Polymer Journal 72 (2015) 687-697
N.A. Hadjiev and BG Amsden*, “An assessment of the predictive ability of the obstruction-scaling model of solute diffusion coefficients in hydrogels,” J Controlled Release 199 (2015) 10-16.
MC Vyner, A Li, BG Amsden*, “The effect of poly(trimethylene carbonate) molecular weight on macrophage behavior and enzyme adsorption and conformation,” Biomaterials 35(33) (2014) 9041-9048.
F Chen, JWS Hayami, and B.G. Amsden*, “Electrospun fibrous polymer scaffolds with stabilized crimp-like structure,” Biomacromolecules, 15(5) (2014) 1593-1601.
J Yang, J Yan, Z Zhou, BG Amsden*, “Dithiol-PEG-PDLLA micelles: preparation and evaluation as potential topical ocular delivery vehicle” Biomacromolecules, 15(4) (2014) 1346-1354.
V Russo, S Young, G. Andrew Hamilton, BG Amsden, LE Flynn*, “Mesenchymal stem cell delivery strategies to promote cardiac regeneration following ischemic injury” Biomaterials 35 (2014) 3956-3974.
H.K. Cheung, T. Han, D.M. Marecak, J.F. Watkins, and L.E. Flynn, "Composite hydrogel scaffolds incorporating decellularized adipose tissue for soft tissue engineering with adipose-derived stem cells," Biomaterials 35, 1914-1923, 2014.
JWS Hayami, SD Waldman, BG Amsden, "Injectable, high modulus and fatigue resistant, composite scaffold for load-bearing soft tissue regeneration," Biomacromolecules 14, 4236-4247, 2013.
I.O. Babasola, M. Rooney, BG Amsden, "Co-release of bioactive VEGF and HGF from liquid injectable poly(5-ethylene ketal ε-caprolactone-co-D,L-lactide)," Molecular Pharmaceutics 10, 4552-4559, 2013.
MC Vyner, L Liu, HD Sheardown, and BG Amsden, "Elastomer crosslink density affects protein adsorption," Biomaterials 34, 9287-9284, 2013.
O.I. Babasola, BG Amsden, "Osmotically driven protein release from liquid injectable polymers based on 5-ethylene ketal ε-caprolactone: potential and mechanism," Eur J Pharm Biopharm 85, 765-772, 2013.
L.A. Cornacchionne, B. Qi, J.Bianco, Z. Zhou, B.G. Amsden, "Photo-cross-linked poly(ethylene carbonate) elastomers: synthesis, in vivo degradation, and determination of in vivo degradation mechanism," Biomacromolecules 13, 10, 3099-3107, 2012.
D.C. Surrao, S.D. Waldman, and B.G. Amsden, "Biomimetic poly(lactide)-based fibrous scaffolds for ligament tissue engineering,"Acta Biomaterialia 8, 11, 3997-4006, 2012.
O.I. Babasola, J. Bianco, and BG Amsden, "In vivo degradation and tissue response to poly(5-ethylene ketal e-caprolactone-co-D,L-lactide)”," Biomacromolecules 13, 2211-2217, 2012.
D.C. Surrao, J.Y.C. Fan, S.D. Waldman, and B.G. Amsden, "A crimp-like microarchitecture improves tissue production in fibrous ligament scaffolds in response to mechanical stimuli," Acta Biomaterialia 8, 10, 3704-3713, 2012.
O.I. Babasola, BG Amsden, "Surface eroding, liquid injectable polymers based on 5-ethylene ketal ε-caprolactone,"Biomacromolecules 12, 10, 3423-3431, 2011.
JWS Hayami, SD Waldman, BG Amsden, "A photocurable hydrogel-elastomer composite scaffold with bi-continuous morphology for cell encapsulation," Macromolecular Bioscience 12, 1672-83, 2011.
DC Surrao, AA. Khan, AJ. McGregor, JCY Fan, B.G. Amsden, SD Waldman, "Can Microcarrier Expanded Chondrocytes Synthesize Functional Tissue In Vitro," Tissue Engineering A 17, 1959-67, 2011.
AJ McGregor, BG Amsden, SD Waldman, "Chondrocyte repopulation of the zone of death induced by osteochondral harvest,"Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 19, 2, 242-248, 2011.
A.Hsieh, T Zahir, Y Lapitsky, B. Amsden, W. Wan, MS Shoichet, "Hydrogel/Electrospun Fiber Composites Influence Neural Stem/Progenitor Cell Fate," Soft Matter 6, 10, 2227-2237, 2010.
BG Amsden, L. Timbart, D. Marecak, M.Y. Tse, SC Pang, "VEGF –induced angiogenesis following localized delivery from injectable low viscosity poly(trimethylene carbonate)," J Controlled Release 145, 109-115, 2010.
DC Surrao, JWS Hayami, SD Waldman, BG Amsden, "Self Crimping Electrospun Polymer Fibres," Biomacromolecules 11, 3624-3629, 2010.
B.G. Amsden and A. Lau, "Siloxane based copolymers for use in two-phase partitioning bioreactors," Can J Chem Eng 86, 1-5, 2008 [More information].
D.K. Knight, S. Shapka, and B. Amsden, "Structure, depolymerization, and cytocompatibility evaluation of glycol chitosan," J Biomed Mater Res A 83A, 787-798, 2007 [More information].
B.G. Amsden, G. Misra and F. Gu, "Synthesis and characterization of a photo-crosslinked biodegradable elastomer,"Biomacromolecules 5, 6, 2479-2486, 2004 [More information].
B.G. Amsden, B.G. Stubbe, F. Horkay, S.C. De Smedt, and J. Demeester, "Modeling the swelling pressure of degrading DEX-HEMA hydrogels," J. Polym. Sci. B. Polym. Phys. 42, 3397-3404, 2004 [More information].
H.M. Younes, E. Bravo-Grimaldo, and B. Amsden, "Synthesis, characterization and in vitro degradation of a biodegradable elastomer," Biomaterials 25, 5261-5269, 2004 [More information].
B.G. Amsden, J. Bochanysz, and A.J. Daugulis, "Degradation of xenobiotics in a partitioning bioreactor in which the partitioning phase is a polymer," Biotechnol. Bioeng. 84, 399-405, 2003 [More information].
A.J. Daugulis, B.G. Amsden, J. Bochanysz, and A. Kayssi, "Delivery of benzene to Alcaligenes xylosoxidans by solid polymers in a two-phase partitioning bioreactor," Biotech. Letters 25, 1203-1207, 2003 [More information].
Barbara G. Stubbe, Ferenc Horkay, Brian Amsden, Wim E. Hennink, Stefaan C. De Smedt, and Jo Demeester, "Tailoring the swelling pressure of degrading dextran hydroxyethyl methacrylate hydrogels," Biomacromolecules 4, 691-695, 2003 [More information].
H.M. Younes, and B. Amsden, "Interferon-g therapy: Evaluation of routes of administration and delivery systems," J. Pharm. Sci. 91, 1, 2-17, 2002 [More information].
B.G. Amsden, "An obstruction-scaling model for diffusion in homogeneous hydrogels," Macromolecules 32, 874-879, 1999.
B.G. Amsden, "Diffusion within hydrogels. Mechanisms and models," Macromolecules 31, 23, 8382-8395, 1998 [More information].
B.G. Amsden, "Solute diffusion in hydrogels. An examination of the retardation effect," Polymer Gels and Networks 6, 1, 13-43, 1998.
B.G. Amsden and M.F.A. Goosen, "An examination of factors affecting the size, distribution, and release characteristics of polymer microbeads made using electrostatics," J. Control. Release 43, 183-196, 1997.
B.G. Amsden, "Osmotically activated protein release from electrostatically generated polymer microbeads," AIChE Journal 42, 3253-3266, 1996.
A.O. Okhamafe, B. Amsden, W. Chu, and M. Goosen, "Modulation of protein release from chitosan-alginate microcapsules using a pH-sensitive polymer," J. Microencapsulation 13, 497-508, 1996.
B.G. Amsden, Y. Cheng, and M. Goosen, "A mechanistic study of the release of osmotically active agents from elastomeric monoliths," J. Controlled Release 30, 21-32, 1994.
B.G. Amsden and Y. Cheng, "Enhanced fraction releasable above percolation threshold from monoliths containing osmotic excipients," J. Control. Release 31, 45-56, 1994.
Polk, B. Amsden, F. DeYao, T. Peng, and M. Goosen, "Chitosan-alginate microcapsules for oral protein drug delivery," J. Pharmaceutical Sciences 84, 178-185, 1994.
Bugarski, B. Amsden, R.J. Neufeld, D. Poncelet, and M.F.A. Goosen, "Effect of electrode geometry and charge on the production of polymer microbeads by electrostatics," Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering 72, 517-521, 1994.
Patents
B.G. Amsden and G.P. Misra, “Degradable Elastomeric Network,”CA2504076C, December 9, 2014.
B.G. Amsden, M.Y. Garcia, I.D. Grant, J.L. Scifert, T.J.N. Smith, “Biphasic calcium phosphate cement for drug delivery,” US8529933B2, Sept 10,2013.
B Amsden, M Garcia, I Grant, J Scifert, T Smith, “Si substituted calcium phosphate cement for drug delivery,” WO 2011017091, 2011/2/11
B.G. Amsden, “Biodegradable Elastomer and Method of Preparing Same,” Canadian Patent 2,385,140 2011.
B.G. Amsden, "Biodegradable Elastomer and Method of Preparing Same," US patent 6,984,393, 2006.
W.L. Hunter, and B.G. Amsden, "Composition and methods of Paclitaxel for treating psoriasis," US patent 6,515,016, 2003.
B.G. Amsden, R. Liggins, "Methods for Microsphere Production," U.S. Patent 6,224,794 B1, 2001.
B.G. Amsden and Y. Cheng, "Polymer-Based Drug Delivery System," U.S. Patent No. 5,626,877, 1997.
B.G. Amsden and Y. Cheng, "Polymer-Based Drug Delivery System," U.S. Patent No. 5,302,397, 1994.
Awards
Funding