Clinton T. Rubin

Research Focus

The major research focus of my work is targeted towards understanding the cellular mechanisms responsible for the growth, healing, and homeostasis of bone. More specifically, I am interested in how biophysical stimuli (i.e., mechanical, electrical, temperature, magnetic, pressure) mediate these responses. The clinical significance of this work is applicable to the inhibition of osteopenia, the promotion of bony ingrowth into prostheses or skeletal defects, and the acceleration of fracture healing. These goals are approached via interdisciplinary studies at the biochemical, molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, computational (e.g., FEM) and clinical levels.

Dr. Rubin’s research into non-invasive, non-pharmacological intervention to control osteoporosis was referenced in National Geographic’s January 2001 article about surviving space travel. His studies show that the application of extremely low level strains to animals and humans will increase bone formation, and thus may represent the much sought after “anabolic” stimulus in bone.

Our work on mechanical biasing of stem cells away from fat and towards bone, has inspired cartoonist Nicole Hollander to capture the "translational essence" of the work. The two-panel carton strip titled "Sylvia" was published around the world, on May 5, 2008.

Cartoon Posted with permission of N. Hollander.

Education

  • Res. Fellow - Biomechanics, Brigham & Women's Hosp. Boston, MA, 1984-5
  • Res. Assoc. - Cell Biology, Tufts Univ., Boston, MA, 1983-4
  • Ph.D. - Anatomy, Univ. of Bristol, Bristol, U.K., 1983
  • B.A. - Physiology, Harvard Univ., Cambridge, MA, 1977

Academic Appointments

  • 2000- Chair, Department of Biomedical Engineering
  • 1997- Visiting Scientist, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY
  • 1997- Director, Center for Advanced Technology in Medical Biotechnology, New York State office of Science, Technology and Academic Research
  • 1995- Director, Program in Biomedical Engineering, S.U.N.Y., Stony Brook.
  • 1992- Professor of Orthopaedics, Anatomy, Molecular Biophysics & Mechanical Eng. S.U.N.Y., Stony Brook.
  • 1987- Director, Musculo-Skeletal Research Laboratory, S.U.N.Y., Stony Brook.
  • 1987-92 Associate Professor of Orthopaedics, Anatomy, & Mechanical Engineering, S.U.N.Y., Stony Brook.
  • 1984-87 Assistant Professor of Anatomy & Cell Biol., Tufts Univ. School Med., Boston, Mass.

Honors

  • 2005 Distinguished Professor; highest academic rank in SUNY system, as conferred by SUNY Trustees
  • 2003 Elizabeth Winston Lanier Kappa Delta Award for Outstanding Research, Amer. Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  • 2002 Fellow, American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineers
  • 2002 Calgary Award in Orthopaedic Biomechanics, IV World Cong. Biomechanics
  • 2001 NYSTAR Distinguished Professor, New York State Office of Technology and Academic Research
  • 2000 Giovanni Borelli Award, American Society of Biomechanics
  • 1998- Board of Directors, New York Biotechnology Association
  • 1997- The Whitaker Foundation, Fellowship Advisory Committee
  • 1996 Fuller Albright Award, American Society of Bone and Mineral Research
  • 1994 Founder, Exogen, Inc.
  • 1993 John Charnley Award, The Hip Society, Amer. Acad. Orthop. Surgeons
  • 1990 Kappa Delta Award for Outstanding Research, Bioelectric Repair and Growth Society.
  • 1989-1994 Committee on Space Biology & Medicine, Space Studies Board, National Research Council
  • 1987-1992 Presidential Young Investigator Award, National Science Foundation.
  • 1986 European Society of Biomechanics Award for Excellence in Research.
  • 1985 Kappa Delta Society Young Investigator Award, Amer. Acad. Orthop. Surgeons.

Publications

Patents

  • Method for inducing a current and voltage in living tissue for the prevention of bone loss. Patent #4,993,413
  • Mechanical loading protocol for the prevention of osteoporosis, acceleration of fracture healing, and the promotion of bony ingrowth. #5,103,808
  • Method for the promotion of growth, ingrowth and healing of bone tissue and the prevention of osteopenia by mechanical loading of the bone tissue. #5,191,880
  • Apparatus for the induction of high frequency strains into the axial skeleton to promote growth and repair. #5,273,028
  • Non-Invasive method and means for in-vivo bone-growth stimulation. #5,376,065
  • Method and system for therapeutically treating bone fractures and osteoporosis. #5,997,490
  • Method and system for therapeutically treating bone fractures and osteoporosis. #6,022,349
  • Chondrogenic and osteogenic genes to be used in the treatment of metabolic bone disease. Pending
  • Frequency scanning ultrasound as a non-invasive means to determine the physical properties of bone. Pending
  • Improvement of postural stability using low level, high frequency mechanical oscillations. Pending