Andrzej Fertala

Andrzej Fertala, PhD, is a Biomet Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University. His laboratory investigates molecular mechanisms of connective tissue disorders and develops biomedical applications for collagen engineering.

Research Focus:

• Pathomechanisms of heritable collagen disorders including osteogenesis imperfecta, spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, and epidermolysis bullosa
• Development of recombinant human collagen technologies to replace animal-derived biomaterials
• Novel anti-fibrotic therapies targeting collagen fibrillogenesis in conditions like keloids and hypertrophic scarring

Patents & Industrial Impact:

• U.S. Patent 5,405,757: Synthesis of human procollagens in recombinant DNA systems (licensed to FibroGen)
• U.S. Patent 6,472,504: Inhibitors of collagen assembly
• U.S. Patent 6,753,311: Collagen-containing polymeric matrices

Dr. Fertala's work bridges basic science and translational applications, with patented technologies advancing biomedical solutions for connective tissue diseases.