Clark T. Hung

Clark T. Hung

Professor of Biomedical Engineering; Professor of Orthopedic Sciences (in Orthopedic Surgery)

Dr. Hung has been pursuing multidisciplinary research using state-of-the-art biological and engineering tools to perform studies to investigate physical effects (e.g., cell deformation, fluid flow effects, osmotic pressure) on cells and tissues comprising the synovial joint.

These efforts aim to elucidate the role of joint loading on synovial joint maintenance under normal and pathologic conditions, as well as the utility of applied physiologic loading to foster growth of functional  engineered cartilage. Using native or engineered synovium and articular cartilage, his team has developed a biofidelic culture system that captures the natural cross-talk between human joint tissues with applied physiologic loading and cytokine parameters. This model can serve as a platform technology for investigating the role that synovial cells play in joint injury, inflammation as well as healing/repair. 

Such studies may lead to strategies aimed at alleviating the most prevalent and chronic problems afflicting the musculoskeletal system, such as arthritis, and problems related to sports and occupational injuries. His research has been funded by agencies including the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, and The Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation. His work has been published in over 180 full-length publications and 17 book chapters. 

Of particular interest to Hung is the mechanobiology of synovial joint tissues and cells. A better understanding of how cells perceive and respond to applied physical stimuli may provide greater insights into the role that physical forces play in the etiology of degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis, as well as in the normal maintenance of articular cartilage. These studies have formed the underpinning of his lab’s functional tissue engineering efforts using applied physiologic deformational loading and osmotic loading to promote engineered cartilage tissue development in culture. His team also explores the role of other physical forces, including applied electric fields, to guide cell migration in healing or forming tissues as well as to optimize cell sources. 

His research has led to five issued US patents, including those describing 1) an engineered osteochondral graft with native functional properties (https://www.google.com/patents/US20100036492), 2) lipid shell microbubbles as porogens for tissue engineering scaffolds (https://www.google.com/patents/US8617892), 3) MOPS preservation media for osteochondral allograft storage (https://google.com/patents/US9220258), 4) chondrogenic media formulation including TMAO (https://www.google.com/patents/US20130202567). MOPS has been licensed by the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation and is the storage media for their clinical osteochondral grafts. The media preserves grafts twice as long as the industry standard media, with the benefit of no serum or refrigeration.

He is a fellow of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), International Combined Orthopedic Research Society (ICORS), and Orthopedic Research Society (ORS). In 2016 he received the Marshall R. Urist Award for Excellence in Tissue Regeneration Research and the Outstanding Achievement in Mentoring Award from the Orthopaedic Research Society in 2021.  

Research Areas

  • Biology
  • Biomechanics
  • Medicine
  • Cartilage Tissue Engineering
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Mechanobiology
  • Electrotherapeutics

Additional information

  • Professional Experience
    • Vice Chair, Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 2023-
    • Professor of biomedical engineering, Columbia University, 2009
    • Undergraduate chair of biomedical engineering, Columbia University, 2015-2020
    • Associate professor of biomedical engineering, Columbia University, 2002–2009
    • Assistant professor of biomedical engineering, Columbia University, 1997–2002
    • Director, Biomedical Engineering: Physical Effects on Cells, summer high school course, School of Professional Studies (1999-2019)
  • Professional Affiliations
    • American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE)
    • American Society for Mechanical Engineers (ASME) – Bioengineering Division
    • Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)
    • International Combined Orthopedic Research Society (ICORS)
    • Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS)
  • Honors & Awards
    • Outstanding Achievement in Mentoring Award, ORS (2021)
    • Fellow, ICORS (2019)
    • Fellow, BMES (2018)
    • Marshall R. Urist Award for Excellence in Tissue Regeneration Research, ORS (2016)
    • Fellow, ASME (2010)
    • Fellow, AIMBE (2009)
    • NEGMA-LERADS Prize; 3rd International Symposium on Mechanobiology of Cartilage and Chondrocyte, Brussels, Belgium (2003)
    • Edward and Carole Kim Award for Faculty Involvement, FFSEAS, Columbia University (2002)
    • Editor in Chief, Journal of Orthopaedic Research & Reviews (2009-)
    • Associate Editor, Journal of Orthopaedic Research (2008-)
    • Editorial Board, Tissue Engineering , Parts A, B and C (2011-2014, 2016-2019)
  • Education
    • PhD, Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania
    • MSE, Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania
    • ScB, Bioengineering, Brown University