The Darling Lab conducts research in cell mechanics, mesenchymal stem cell characterization, and musculoskeletal tissue regeneration. Its primary focus is to understand cellular heterogeneity and its effects on both fundamental phenomena and translational applications. Central to this pursuit is the identification of novel biological and mechanical markers for isolating high-value cell populations. Specific capabilities in his group include characterizing the mechanophenotype of living cells and tissues, enriching heterogeneous samples via intracellular gene and protein expression, and generating cell mimicking microparticles for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Core capabilities include micro/nano-scale mechanical testing and imaging with atomic force microscopy (AFM), standard cell culture and tissue engineering techniques, and traditional molecular and biochemical assays. We are also developing novel tools and methodologies for the identification of cellular subpopulations. Our long-term goals are to improve the quality and consistency of stem cell sources such that any downstream application produces better results. General areas of interest to the lab include:

1. AFM techniques for evaluating the mechanical characteristics of cells and tissues.
2. Stem cell enrichment for improving tissue regeneration approaches.
3. Development of molecular tools to study and identify live-cell, gene expression biomarkers.
4. Technique innovation for the analysis of cellular subpopulations.

Biomedical research program (R01 AR063642, PI: Darling)
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health
Title: "High-yield, lineage-specific enrichment of living mesenchymal stem cells"
Role: PI
Project Period: 09/01/2013 - 08/31/2018

CAREER Award (CBET-1253189, PI: Darling)
National Science Foundation
Title: CAREER: Mechanical Biomarkers and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation
Role: PI
Project Period: 02/01/2013 - 01/31/2018

RIH/Brown Orthopaedics COBRE (P20 GM104937, PI: Chen) Subcontract
National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institutes of Health
Title: "AFM subcontract for the bioengineering core of the COBRE for Skeletal Health and Repair"
Role: Subcontractor
Project Period: 09/01/2012 - 08/31/2017

EAGER: Biomanufacturing (CBET1547819, PI: Darling)
National Science Foundation
Title: EAGER: Biomanufacturing: Gene expression-based standardization of stem cells
Role: PI
Project Period: 09/15/2015 - 08/31/2017

Salomon Award
Brown University
Title:  Visualizing gene expression in MRI
Role: PI
Project Period: 03/01/2017 - 06/30/2018

2014, Manning Assistant Professor of Medical Science
2013, Rice University BIOE Outstanding Graduate Alumnus
2013, NSF CAREER Award
2012, Nanotechnology '2011 Highlights' collection article
2011, Rising Star, BMES-SPRBM Conference on Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering
2010, Award for Editorial Excellence, Annals of Biomedical Engineering
2008, 26th Army Science Conference, Bronze Award for best paper
2008, Duke University, Kewaunee Post-Doctoral Achievement Award
2007, AIMM-ASBMR John Haddad Young Investigator Award
2007, Orthopaedic Research Society's New Investigator Recognition Award Finalist
2007, Pathway to Independence Award, NIH/NIAMS

Biomedical Engineering Society
Orthopaedic Research Society
Cellular and Molecular Biology, BMES Special Interest Group