Photo of Sangamesh G. Kumbar, PhD

Sangamesh G. Kumbar, PhD

Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery
Academic Office Location:
Orthopedic Surgery
UConn Health
263 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT 06030
Phone: 860-679-3955
Fax: 860-679-1553
Email: kumbar@uchc.edu
Website(s):

Skeletal Biology and Regeneration Graduate Program
Education
DegreeInstitutionMajor
BScKarnatak UniversityChemistry
MScKarnatak UniversityPhysical Chemistry
PhDKarnatak UniversityPolymer Science

Post-Graduate Training
TrainingInstitutionSpecialty
FellowshipDepartment of Chemistry, Karnatak University Junior Research Fellow
FellowshipDepartment of Chemistry, Karnatak University Senior Research Fellow

Awards
Name of Award/HonorAwarding Organization
Member ElectThe Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering
The Charles S. Neer Award in the basic science categoryAmerican Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons
Research Fellowship 2000-2002All India Council for Technical Education
Obtained Prof. E. S. Jayadevappa Memorial Gold Medal (for Being 1st Rank in M.Sc.)Karnatak University
National Merit Scholarship 1982-1994Government of India
Name & DescriptionCategoryRoleTypeScopeStart YearEnd Year
European Research Council Executive AgencyProfessional/Scientific OrganizationReviewer: ERC Starting Grant 2022ExternalInternational2022
Israel Binational Science FoundationProfessional/Scientific OrganizationGrant Reviewer: Personal Research GrantsExternalInternational2020
Bioactive MaterialsEditorial BoardAssociate EditorExternalNational2019
Biomedical Physics and Engineering ExpressProfessional/Scientific OrganizationEditorial BoardExternalNational2015
Journal of Biomedical NanotechnologyEditorial BoardAssociate EditorExternalNational2014
Journal of Applied Polymer ScienceProfessional/Scientific JournalEditorial BoardExternalNational2013
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research: Part B - Applied BiomaterialsProfessional/Scientific JournalEditorial BoardExternalNational2012
US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) Mail Advisory CommitteeReviewerExternalNational20112011
Controlled release society and Faculty advisor UCONN student chapterAdvisory CommitteeMemberUConn HealthUniversity2010
Orthopaedic Biomaterials Special Interest Group, Society for BiomaterialsAdvisory CommitteeChairExternalNational20102010
Editorial Board Member of Bone and Tissue Regeneration insightsEditorial BoardMemberExternalNational20092009
NIH (BCMB) IRG MSFE-Section study sectionStudy SectionMemberExternalNational20092009
Orhtopaedic Biomaterials SIG at Society for BiomaterialsProfessional/Scientific JournalVice Chair ExternalNational20092009
Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering Advisory CommitteeBiomedical Proposal ReviewerExternalState20092009
Materials Research SocietyProfessional/Scientific OrganizationMemberExternalNational2009
Orthopaedic Research SocietyProfessional/Scientific OrganizationMemberExternalNational2009
Biomedical Engineering SocietyProfessional/Scientific OrganizationMemberExternalNational2009
Controlled Release SocietyProfessional/Scientific OrganizationMemberExternalNational2009
Journal of Biomedical TechnologyEditorial BoardMemberExternalNational20082008
Society for BiomaterialsProfessional/Scientific OrganizationMemberExternalNational2008
Journal of Biomedical NanotechnologyProfessional/Scientific JournalEditorial BoardExternalNational20082014
Life Member of Society for Polymer Science, IndiaProfessional/Scientific OrganizationMemberExternalInternational2003
Bone and Tissue Regeneration InsightsEditorial BoardMemberExternalNational
Journal of Tissue Science & EngineeringEditorial BoardMemberExternalNational
The Scientific World Journal: Chemical EngineeringEditorial BoardMemberExternalInternational
Artificial OrgansProfessional/Scientific JournalReviewerExternalNational
Acta BiomaterialiaProfessional/Scientific JournalReviewerExternalNational
BiomacromoleculesProfessional/Scientific JournalReviewerExternalNational
Biomedical MaterialsProfessional/Scientific JournalReviewerExternalNational
Drug Development and Industrial PharmacyProfessional/Scientific JournalReviewerExternalNational
Expert Opinion on Drug DeliveryProfessional/Scientific JournalReviewerExternalNational
Future Medicine: Regenerative MedicineProfessional/Scientific JournalReviewerExternalNational
International Journal of Nanomedicine Professional/Scientific JournalReviewerExternalInternational
Journal of Controlled ReleaseProfessional/Scientific JournalReviewerExternalNational
Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative MedicineProfessional/Scientific JournalReviewerExternalNational
NanotechnologyProfessional/Scientific JournalReviewerExternalNational
NanomedicineProfessional/Scientific JournalReviewerExternalNational
Scripta MaterialiaProfessional/Scientific JournalReviewerExternalNational
Tissue EngineeringProfessional/Scientific JournalReviewerExternalNational
European Polymer JournalProfessional/Scientific JournalReviewerExternalInternational
Journal of Functional BiomaterialsProfessional/Scientific JournalEditorial BoardExternalInternational

Dr. Kumbar’s research is focused on synthesis and characterization of novel biomaterials/polymers for tissue engineering and drug delivery applications. Polymeric materials namely polysaccharides, polyposphazenes, polyanhydrides, polyesters as well as blends of two or more of the polymeric materials and composites combining the polymeric materials with ceramics in the form of 3-dimentional porous structures will serve as scaffolds for variety of tissue engineering applications. Dr. Kumbar has developed several biodegradable poly(anhydride) based elastic materials and nanofiber scaffolds for variety of soft tissue regeneration applications. Dr. Kumbar is also interested in developing novel drug delivery systems comprised of hydrogels, nano/micro particulate system and nanofibers for variety of biomedical applications.


Tissue engineering seeks to design tissue substitutes for clinical use to overcome the limitations associated with autografts and allografts. Scaffold-based tissue engineering has become a promising strategy to regenerate three-dimensional (3-D) tissues for transplantation. A wide range of synthetic and natural polymers have already been adopted for 3-D scaffold fabrication. Scaffolds derived from polymers of natural origin have shown superior biological performance due to their chemical similarity with extracellular matrix (ECM) components, which the biological environment recognizes and deals with metabolically. Natural polymer scaffolds may also minimize chronic inflammation or immunological reactions and toxicity often associated with synthetic polymer scaffolds. However, scaffolds fabricated currently from materials of natural origin have failed to possess adequate mechanical properties, interconnected pore structure and/or porosity suitable for bone healing applications at load-bearing sites. Dr. Kumbar’s research program aims to develop mechanically competent, porous, 3-D scaffolds functionalized with nanofiber structures of natural origin for bone repair and regeneration applications.


Dr. Kumbar’s another research program aims to develop injectable particulate chemotherapeutic agent’s delivery systems. Chemotherapeutic drugs used currently possess several drawbacks such as poor solubility and non-specificity requiring high drug doses to attain therapeutic concentration. Contemporary drug delivery systems comprised of nanoparticles, liposomes and micelles can reduce non-specific systemic toxicity, however, targeting cancer cells still remains a challenge. Prodrug and targeting concept based on the polyphosphazene platform provides numerous opportunities to synthesize several cytotoxic drugs with improved clinical performance. These amphiphilic prodrugs self-assemble and form micelles possess the ability to deliver multiple drugs and can be easily functionalized for active targeting. Active drug will be generated at the site of action following peptide drug cleavage from the polymer backbone in the tumor environment and lysosomal peptide spacer degradation. This platform can produce numerous chemotherapeutic drug formulations for cancer treatment. Such delivery systems can significantly improve the performance of chemotherapeutic drugs and contribute to prolonging a good quality of life.

Accepting Lab Rotation Students: Summer 2022, Fall 2022, and Spring 2023

Journal Articles

Books

  • Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
    Ohan S. Manoukian; Naseem Sardashti; Teagen Stedman; Katie Gailiunas; Anurag Ojha; Aura Penalosa; Christopher Mancuso; Michelle Hobert; Sangamesh G. Kumbar Encyclopedia of Biomedical Engineering 2018 Sep;
  • Gang, W., Kumbar, S.G. Artificial Protein and Peptide Nanofibers: Design, Fabrication, Characterization, and Applications

Book Chapters

  • Biomaterials Application: Implants
    Aditya Ruikar, Chase Bonin, Gauri S. Kumbar, Yeshavanth Kumar Banasavadi-Siddegowda, Sangamesh G. Kumbar Biomaterials and Biopolymers 2023 Sep;159–182
  • Nanomaterials/Nanocomposites for Osteochondral Tissue
    Ohan S. Manoukian; Connor Dieck; Taylor Milne; Caroline N. Dealy; Swetha Rudraiah; Sangamesh G. Kumbar Osteochondral Tissue Engineering 2018 Apr;79-95
  • Diseases and clinical applications that can benefit from long last lasting implants and injections
    James R, Toti US, Kumbar SG, Laurencin CT Long Acting Implants and Injections 2011 Jan;
  • Drug Releasing Textiles
    Toti US, Kumbar SG, Mathews R, Balasubramaniam D, Laurencin CT Hand Book of Medical Textiles 2011 Jan;173-197
  • Electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds for engineering soft connective tissues
    James R, Toti US, Laurencin CT, Kumbar SG Biomedical Nanotechnology in The Methods in Molecular Biology series 2011 Jan;243-582
  • Polyphosphazenes as Biomaterials
    Deng M, Kumbar SG, Allcock HR, Laurencin CT Polymeric Biomaterials 2011 Jan;
  • Biodegradable polyphosphazene scaffolds for tissue engineering
    Nukavarapu SP, Kumbar SG, Laurencin CT Polyphosphazenes for Biomedical Applications 2009 Jan;119-138
  • Biodegradable polyphosphazene scaffolds for tissue engineering
    Nukavarapu SP, Kumbar SG, Laurencin CT Polyphosphazenes for Biomedical Applications 2008 Jan;
  • Cell behavior toward nanostructured surfaces
    Kumbar SG, Kofron MD, Nair LS, Laurencin CT Biomedical Nanostructures 2008 Jan;261-295
  • Electrospun polymeric nanofiber scaffolds for tissue regeneration
    Nukavarapu SP, Kumbar SG, Merrell JG, Laurencin CT Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering: The Scaffold 2008 Jan;199-219
  • Nanostructures for Tissue Engineering/Regenerative Medicine
    Nukavarapu SP, Kumbar SG, Nair LS, Laurencin CT Biomedical Nanostructures 2008 Jan;377-407
  • Nanotechnology for Inducing Angiogenesis
    Kumbar SG, James R, Nair LS, Laurencin CT Micro and Nanoengineering of the Cell Microenvironment: Technologies and Applications 2008 Jan;317-339
  • Fabrication of amyloid nanofiber matrices by electrospinning
    Jaiswal, D., Katebifar, S., Rudraiah, S., Kumbar, S.G. Artificial Protein and Peptide Nanofibers 41-68
  • Nanofibers for Soft-Tissue engineering
    Abdulmalik, S., Katebifar, S., Nip, J., Yousman, L., Szarejko, P., Baker, J., Rudraiah, S., Kumbar, S.G. Artificial Protein and Peptide Nanofibers 437-470
  • Natural Polymer Based Micro-Nanostructured Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering
    Katebifar, S., Jaiswal, D., Arul, M.R., Novak, S., Nip, J., Kalajzic, I., Rudraiah, S., Kumbar, S.G. Methods in Molecular Biology
  • Tissue Engineering
    Manoukian, O.S., Stratton, S., Matta, R., Letendre, J., Arul, M.R., Rudraiah, S., Kumbar, S.G. Introduction to Biomaterial Engineering

Book Sections

  • Cell behavior toward nanostructured surfaces
    Kumbar SG, Kofron MD, Nair LS, Laurencin CT Biomedical Nanostructures 2008 Jan;261-295
  • Cell behavior towards nanostructured surfaces
    Kumbar SG, Kofron MD, Nair LS, Laurencin CT Biomedical Nanostructures 2007 Jan;261-287
  • Nanostructures for regenerative medicine
    Nukuvarapu SP, Kumbar SG, Nair LS, Laurencin CT Biomedical Nanostructures 2007 Jan;261-287

Conference Papers

  • Synthesis and characterization of novel biodegradable phenyl phenoxy-based polyphosphazene blends: in vitro osteocompatibility evaluation
    Deng M, Kumbar SG, Krogman NR, Nair LS, Allcock HR, Laurencin CT 2007 Jan;
  • Fabrication and biocompatibility of polyphosphazene Tubular electrospun nanofiber scaffolds for bone tissue engineering
    Bhattacharyya S, Kumbar SG, Khan YM, Nair LS, Laurencin CT 2006 Jan;

Erratums

Notes

Reviews

Title or AbstractTypeSponsor/EventDate/YearLocation
Biodegradable Polymeric Micro-Nanostructures for Tissue Engineering2022Virtual
Engineered Polymeric Micro-Nano Structures for Tissue Repair and Regeneration2022University of Missouri
Nano: Nano-Micro And Micro Based Structures For Regenerative EngineeringTalkASAIO 58th Annual Conference2012San Francisco, CA
Osteogenic Effect of Dexamethasone on Biomimetic PLAGA Electrospun NanofibersPoster9th World Biomaterials Congress2012Chengdu, China
Functionalization of Electrospun Polycaprolactone Matrices with Polyphosphazene for the Purpose of Rotator Cuff Tendon AugmentationPoster9th World Biomaterials Congress2012Chengdu, China
Induced Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Polyester Nanofiber Scaffolds in Combination with ResveratrolPoster9th World Biomaterials Congress2012Chengdu, China
Advanced Biomaterials-structured Scaffolds for Bone Regenerative Engineering: Enhanced Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem CellsTalk9th World Biomaterials Congress2012Chengdu, China
Bioactive Polysaccharide Bone Grafts: In Vitro Evaluation Using Human Mesnchymal Stem Cells (hMSCs)PosterORS 2012 Annual Meeting 2012San Francisco, CA
Induced Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells By Polyester Nanofiber Scaffolds In Combination With MelatoninPosterORS 2012 Annual Meeting2012San Francisco, CA
Advanced Biomaterials for Developing Nanostructured Hierarchical Matrix Systems for Bone RegenerationTalkTissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine InternationalSociety (TERMIS)-NA 2011 Annual Conference2011Houston, TX
Novel Mechanically Competent Polysaccharide Scaffolds for Bone Tissue EngineeringPosterBMES Annual Meeting2011Hartford, CT
Biocompatible Polysaccharide Scaffolds for Bone Tissue EngineeringTalkSociety For Biomaterials Annual Meeting2011Orlando, FL
Mechanically competent micro-nano structures for bone repair and regenerationTalk4th Annual New England Musculoskeletal Institute (NEMSI) Research Day2010
Novel Biomaterial Structures for Musculoskeletal Repair and RegenerationTalkSkeletal, Craniofacial and Oral Biology Journal Club2009
Biodegradable Micro-nano Scaffolds for Ligament and Tendon RegenerationTalkWorld Conference on Regenerative Medicine 2009Leipzig, Germany
Novel Water Dispersible Carbon Nanotube Composite Scaffolds for Bone Tissue EngineeringPosterTERMIS NA 20082008San Diego, CA
Infection Resistant Polyphosphazene-PLAGA Blend Electrospun Nanofiber Matrices for Wound Healing ApplicationsTalkNational Medical Association (NMA) Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly2008Atlanta, GA
Treatment with GDF-5 Induces Tendinogenic Differentiation of Adipose Derived Stromal Cells Seeded on Electrospun PLAGA ScaffoldsPoster54th Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society2008San Francisco, CA
Fabrication and In-Vitro Evaluation of Novel Bone Regeneration Scaffolds Based on Polyphosphazene-Nano Hydroxyapatite CompositesPoster54th Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society2008San Francisco, CA
Long-term characterization of a novel tubular sintered microsphere matrix for bone: in vitro scaffold degradation and in vivo bone regenerationTalk53rd Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society2007San Diego, CA
Nanobased fiber matrices for wound repair: optimization for human skin fibroblast growthTalkSociety for Biomaterials Annual meeting 2007Chicago, IL
Healing bone using a biomimetic tubular sintered microsphere matrix: in vitro polymer evaluation and in vivo bone regenerationTalkSociety for Biomaterials Annual meeting 2007Chicago, IL
Ex vivo gene therapy in combination with a novel tubular sintered microsphere scaffold: the in vivo delivery of bmp-2 producing cellsTalkSociety for Biomaterials Annual meeting 2007Chicago, IL
Novel biodegradable polymeric blends for orthopaedic applications: poly[(ethyl alanato)(phenyl phenoxy)phosphazene] - poly(lactideco-glycolide) miscibility and osteocompatibility studiesTalkSociety for Biomaterials Annual meeting 2007Chicago, IL
Novel biodegradable polyphosphazene-nanohydroxyapatite microsphere scaffolds for bone tissue engineeringPosterSociety for Biomaterials Annual meeting 2007Chicago
Studies of amorphous and semi-crystalline poly(lactide-co-glycolide) tubular sintered microsphere matrices: In vitro degradation kinetics and in vivo bone regenerationTalkGordon Research Conference on Biomaterials: Biocompatibility / Tissue Engineering2007Plymouth, NH
Electrospray Coating: Optimization of Process Parameters for Biomedical ApplicationsTalkSociety for Biomaterials Annual meeting 2006Pittsburgh, PA
Fabrication and Biocompatibility of Polyphosphazene Tubular Electrospun Nanofiber Scaffolds for Bone Tissue EngineeringTalkSummer Bioengineering Conference 2006
Electrospray Coating: Optimization of Process Parameters for Biomedical ApplicationsTalkWorld Congress on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine2006Pittsburgh, PA
Preparation and characterization of interpenetrating network beads of poly(vinyl alcohol)-grafted-poly(acryl amide) with sodium alginate and their controlled release characteristics for cypermethrin pesticideTalk28th International symposium on Controlled Release of Bioactive Materials2002San Diego, CA
Grafted chitosan microspheres for the controlled release of indomethacinTalk27th International symposium on Controlled Release of Bioactive Materials2002Seoul, Korea
Acrylic-based ph-sensitive superabsobents for controlled release of a pesticide and a micronutrientTalk27th International symposium on Controlled Release of Bioactive Materials2002Seoul, Korea
Crosslinked chitosan microspheres for encapsulation of diclofenac sodium: effect of crosslinking agentTalkPharmaceutical Association of the Americas 2001Orlando, FL
Preparation and characterization of interpenetrating network beads of poly(vinyl alcohol)-grafted-poly(acryl amide) with sodium alginate and their controlled release characteristics for cypermethrin pesticideTalkNational seminar on Advanced Polymeric Materials & Environmental Protection For the New Millennium2001Chennai, India
Encapsulation efficiency and release kinetics of solid and liquid pesticides through urea formaldehyde crosslinked starch, guar gum and starch + guar gum matricesTalk2000Ooty, Nilgiri Hills, India