Sujee Jeyapalina

Sujee Jeyapalina, PhD

Languages spoken: English

Academic Information

Departments Primary - Surgery

Divisions: Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Research Interests

  • Skin Microbiome
  • Antibiotics, Antifungal
  • Apatites
  • Wound Healing
  • Dental Implants
  • Osseointegration
  • Breast Implants
  • Bone Substitutes
  • Bone remodeling around prosthetic components and biomaterials
  • Targeted Drug Delivery Systems
  • Biomaterials
  • mRNA Localization
  • Antibiofilm Strategies

Sujee Jeyapalina received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Chemistry and Chemical Research in 1994 and 1995, respectively, from King’s College, University of London. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry from Leicester University in 2005. After this, she joined the Department of Orthopaedics, the National University of Singapore in 2005, as a post-doctoral researcher. After earning a fellowship in Materials Research at Loughborough University, she joined the Department of Orthopaedics, the University of Utah, in 2008. She currently co-direct the Orthopaedic and Plastic Surgery Research Laboratory at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Salt Lake City Health Care System, and holds a Research Assistant Professorship with the Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of surgery. She reviews for the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, and others. Her primary research interest is the development of percutaneous devices that resist infection. Her other research interests include, but not limited to, wound healing, design and development of devices, complete RNA sequencing studies to understand health, diseases and healing, breast implant development, biomaterials, cell-co-cultures, microbiome, osseointegration, translational animal model developments, antimicrobials and drug delivery. Her society memberships include the Orthopaedic Research Society, the Society for Biomaterials, the Plastic Surgery Research Council, and the Wound-healing Society.

Research Statement

Novel percutaneous osseointegrated prosthetics have been utilized increasingly over the past several years to rehabilitate amputee patients with limb-loss. As this type of device is used to serve as a bridge between the internal and external bodily environments, the disintegration of the soft-tissue with the device surface creates many medical challenges. The soft-tissue interface (the epidermis in particular) with this device commonly fails to heal properly and disintegrates over time. It is known that immediately following percutaneous implantation, epidermal cells migrate proximally along the implant surface in an attempt to repair the surgically-created soft-tissue defect. This phenomenon, termed “epidermal downgrowth,” creates a sinus tract around the implant and provides a nidus for bacterial colonization and subsequent infection of peri-prosthetic tissue. In order to improve the patient-satisfaction and acceptance of this device, my primary research goal is to understand the mechanical and biological mechanisms of peri-prosthetic tissue healing. My secondary goal is to find an evidence-based design and/or material solution for preventing infection and improving device longevity.

Education History

Doctoral Training University of Leicester
 PhD
King’s College London
 MSc
Undergraduate King’s College London
 BSc

Selected Publications

Journal Article

  1. Samantha K Steyl James Peter Beck Jayant P Agarwal Kent N Bachus David L Rou Sujee Jeyapalina (2023). Fluorapatite-Coated Percutaneous Devices Promote Wound Healing and Limit Epithelial Downgrowth at the Skin-Device Interface. J Tissue Eng Regen Med.
  2. Al Khateeb S, Bennett BT, Beck JP, Jeyapalina S, Sparks TD (2023). Exploration of fluorapatite bio-ceramic thin film deposition by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. Journal of Materials Research. (Read full article)
  3. Griffin A, Brain P, Hancock C, Jeyapalina S (2022). A Dentist's Perspective on the Need for Interdisciplinary Collaboration to Reduce Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw. Sr Care Pharm, 37(9), 458-467. (Read full article)
  4. Luo J, Rosales M, Wei G, Stoddard GJ, Kwok AC, Jeyapalina S, Agarwal JP (2022). Hospitalization, mechanical ventilation, and case-fatality outcomes in US veterans with COVID-19 disease between years 2020-2021. Ann Epidemiol, 70, 37-44. (Read full article)
  5. Miller A, Jeyapalina S, Agarwal J, Mansel M, Beck JP (2022). A preliminary, observational study using whole-blood RNA sequencing reveals differential expression of inflammatory and bone markers post-implantation of percutaneous osseointegrated prostheses. PLoS One, 17(5), e0268977. (Read full article)
  6. Jeyapalina S, Hillas E, Beck JP, Agarwal J, Shea J (2021). Fluorapatite and fluorohydroxyapatite apatite surfaces drive adipose-derived stem cells to an osteogenic lineage. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater, 125, 104950. (Read full article)
  7. Yin TJ, Jeyapalina S, Naleway SE (2021). Characterization of porous fluorohydroxyapatite bone-scaffolds fabricated using freeze casting. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater, 123, 104717. (Read full article)
  8. Luo J, Jeyapalina S, Stoddard GJ, Kwok AC, Agarwal JP (2020). Coronavirus disease 2019 in veterans receiving care at veterans health administration facilities. Ann Epidemiol, 55, 10-14. (Read full article)
  9. Pawar DRL, Jeyapalina S, Bachus KN (2019). Evaluation of soft-tissue response around laser microgrooved titanium percutaneous devices. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater, 108(5), 2031-2040. (Read full article)
  10. Jeyapalina S, Colombo JS, Beck JP, Agarwal JP, Schmidt LA, Bachus KN (2019). Epidermal growth factor receptor genes are overexpressed within the periprosthetic soft-tissue around percutaneous devices: A pilot study. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater, 108(2), 527-537. (Read full article)
  11. Beck JP, Grogan M, Bennett BT, Jeyapalina S, Agarwal J, Bartow-McKenney C, Bugayev J, Kubiak E, Sinclair S, Grice E (2019). Analysis of the Stomal Microbiota of a Percutaneous Osseointegrated Prosthesis: A Longitudinal Prospective Cohort Study. J Orthop Res, 37(12), 2645-2654. (Read full article)
  12. Jeyapalina S, Beck JP, Drew A, Bloebaum RD, Bachus KN (2019). Variation in bone response to the placement of percutaneous osseointegrated endoprostheses: A 24-month follow-up in sheep. PLoS One, 14(10), e0221850. (Read full article)
  13. Pawar DRL, Jeyapalina S, Hafer K, Bachus KN (2019). Influence of negative pressure wound therapy on peri-prosthetic tissue vascularization and inflammation around porous titanium percutaneous devices. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater, 107(6), 2091-2101. (Read full article)
  14. Bennett BT, Beck JP, Papangkorn K, Colombo JS, Bachus KN, Agarwal J, Shieh JF, Jeyapalina S (2019). Characterization and evaluation of fluoridated apatites for the development of infection-free percutaneous devices. Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl, 100, 665-675. (Read full article)
  15. Jeyapalina S, Mitchell SJ, Agarwal J, Bachus KN (2019). Biomimetic coatings and negative pressure wound therapy independently limit epithelial downgrowth around percutaneous devices. J Mater Sci Mater Med, 30(6), 71. (Read full article)
  16. Pawar DRL, Mitchell SJ, Jeyapalina S, Hawkes JE, Florell SR, Bachus KN (2018). Peri-prosthetic tissue reaction to discontinuation of negative pressure wound therapy around porous titanium percutaneous devices. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater, 107(3), 564-572. (Read full article)
  17. Sujee Jeyapalina, James Peter Beck, Jayant Agarwal, Kent N Bachus (2017). A 24-month Evaluation of a Percutaneous Osseointegrated Limb-Skin Interface in an Ovine Amputation Model. J Mater Sci Mater Med, 28(11), 179-.
  18. Juhnke D-L, Beck JP, Jeyapalina S, Aschoff HH (2015). Fifteen Years of Experience With Integral-Leg-Prosthesis: Cohort Study of Artificial Limb Attachment System. J Rehabil Res Dev Clin Suppl, 52(4), 407-420.
  19. Jeyapalina S, Beck JP, Bachus KN, Chalayon O, Bloebaum RD (2014). Radiographic evaluation of bone adaptation adjacent to percutaneous osseointegrated prostheses in a sheep model. Clin Orthop Relat Res, 472(10), 2966-77. (Read full article)
  20. Jeyapalina S, Beck JP, Bloebaum RD, Bachus KN (2014). Progression of bone ingrowth and attachment strength for stability of percutaneous osseointegrated prostheses. Clin Orthop Relat Res, 472(10), 2957-65. (Read full article)
  21. Isaacson BM, Jeyapalina S (2014). Osseointegration: A review of the fundamentals for assuring cementless skeletal fixation. Orthop Res Rev, 6, 55-65. (Read full article)
  22. Isaacson B, Jeyapalina S (2014). Osseointegration: A review of the fundamentals for assuring cementless skeletal fixation. Orthop Res Rev, 6, 55-65.
  23. Williams DL, Sinclair KD, Jeyapalina S, Bloebaum RD (2013). Characterization of a Novel Active Release Coating to Prevent Biofilm Implant-Related Infections. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater, 101(6), 1078-89.
  24. Holt BM, Betz DH, Ford TA, Beck JP, Bloebaum RD, Jeyapalina S (2013). Pig Dorsum Model for Examining Impaired Wound Healing at the Skin-Implant Interface of Percutaneous Devices. J Mater Sci Mater Med, 24(9), 2181-2193.
  25. Holt BM, Bachus KN, Beck JB, Bloebaum RD, Jeyapalina S (2012). Immediate Post-Implantation Skin Immobilization Decreases Skin Regression Around Percutaneous Osseointegrated Prosthetic Implant Systems. J Biomed Mater Res A, 101(7), 2075-2082.
  26. Betz D, Epperson R, Holt B, Bloebaum R, Jeyapalina S (2012). A new trichrome technique for PMMA embedded percutaneous implants for the study and characterization of epithelial integration. J Histotechnol, 35(4), 164-170. (Read full article)
  27. Jeyapalina S, Beck JP, Bachus KN, Williams DL, Bloebaum RD (2012). Efficacy of a Porous-Structured Titanium Subdermal Barrier for Preventing Infection in Percutaneous Osseointegrated Prostheses. J Orthop Res, 30(8), 1304-1311.
  28. Jeyapalina S, Beck JP, Bachus KN, Bloebaum RD (2012). Cortical Bone Response to the Presence of Load-Bearing Percutaneous Osseointegrated Prostheses. Anat Rec, 295(9), 1438-1445.
  29. Lim KH, Jeyapalina S, Ho HN, Chew CM, Chen PC, Teo CL, Lim BH (2008). Non-invasive prediction of skin flap shrinkage: a new concept based on animal experimental evidence. J Biomech, 41(8), 1668-74. (Read full article)
  30. Lim KH, Chew CM, Chen PC, Jeyapalina S, Ho HN, Rappel JK, Lim BH (2008). New extensometer to measure in vivo uniaxial mechanical properties of human skin. J Biomech, 41(5), 931-6. (Read full article)

Book Chapter

  1. Webster JB, Bachus KN, Beck JP, Jeyapalina S, Drew AJ, Bloebaum RD (2017). Osseointegration research. In Webster JB|Bachus KN|Beck JP|Jeyapalina S|Drew AJ|Bloebaum RD (Ed.), Full Stride: Advancing the State of the Art in Lower Extremity Gait Systems (pp. 167-193). (Read full article)
  2. Webster J, Beck JB, Bachus KN, Jeyapalina, S, Blobaum RD (2017). Osseointegration. In Tepe V, Peterson C (Eds.), Full Stride: Advancing the State of the Art in Lower Extremity Gait Systems. New York: Springer-Verlag New York.

Conference Proceedings

  1. Bennett BT, Beck JP, Bachus KN, Trent A, Vandyke M, Jeyapalina S (2019). Keratin nanomaterial coating limits epithelial downgrowth around percutaneous devices. In Bennett BT|Beck JP|Bachus KN|Trent A|Vandyke M|Jeyapalina S (Ed.), Transactions of the Annual Meeting of the Society for Biomaterials and the Annual International Biomaterials Symposium, 40, 429. (Read full article)
  2. Tiang Z, Bennett BT, Cartmill T, Beck JP, Bachus KN, Trent A, Vandyke M, Jeyapalina S (2019). Development of small animal infection model for evaluating barrier properties of the epidermal seal against infection around the percutaneous implant systems – a pilot study. In Tiang Z|Bennett BT|Cartmill T|Beck JP|Bachus KN|Trent A|Vandyke M|Jeyapalina S (Ed.), Transactions of the Annual Meeting of the Society for Biomaterials and the Annual International Biomaterials Symposium, 40, 775. (Read full article)

Abstract

  1. Jeyapalina S, Bloebaum RD, Beck JP, Bachus NB, Holt BH (2012). Phenomenon of Wound-Healing around the Percutaneous Osseointegrated Prosthesis [Abstract]. Wound Repair and Regeneration, 20, A12-48.

Patent

  1. Jeyapalina S, Beck JP, Bachus KN, Colombo JC, Bennett BT: Papangkorn K (2020). Fluorapatite Coated Implants and Related Methods. U.S. Patent No. US62/790642. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  2. Jeyapalina S, Bennett BT, Agarwal J, Sparks TD, Beck JP, Shea, J (2020). Fluorapatite-Containing Structures. U.S. Patent No. US62/790685. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  3. Holt BM, Bachus KN, Jeyapalina S, Beck JP, Bloebaum RD (2015). Percutaneous osseointegrated prosthetic implant system. U.S. Patent No. 9,668,889. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  4. Looper R, Williams D, Jeyapalina S, Haussener T, Sebahar P, Reddy H (2013). Compositions and methods comprising a biocidal polyamine. U.S. Patent No. 9,439,433. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  5. Holt BM, Jeyapalina S, Bachus KN, Bloebaum RD (2013). Modular prosthetic abutment system. U.S. Patent No. 10,588,761. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  6. Looper R, Williams D, Jeyapalina S, Haussener T, Sebahar PR, Reddy H (2013). Compositions and methods comprising a biocidal polyamine. U.S. Patent No. 8,853,278. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  7. Looper R, Williams DL, Jeyapalina S, Haussener T, Sebahar PR, Reddy HK (2013). Compositions comprising a biocidal polyamine. U.S. Patent No. 9,839,219. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  8. Looper RE, Williams DL, Jeyapalina S, Haussener T, Sebahar P, Reddy, HRK (2013). Methods comprising a biocidal polyamine. U.S. Patent No. 10,440,955. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  9. Williams D, Looper R, Jeyapalina S, Haussener T, Sebahar P, Reddy HR (2013). Methods of use for compositions comprising a biocidal polyamine. U.S. Patent No. 9,034,927. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  10. Williams D, Looper R, Jeyapalina S, Haussener T, Sebahar P, Reddy HR (2013). Methods of use comprising a biocidal polyamine. U.S. Patent No. 9,220,267. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  11. Holt BM, Jeyapalina S, Bachus KN, Bloebaum RD (2012). Modular prosthetic abutment system. U.S. Patent No. 9,839,535. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  12. Bachus KN, Jeyapalina S, Beck JB, Bloebaum RD, Agarwal JP, Longo JA, Kubiak E, Holt BM (2012). Percutaneous osseointegrated implant assembly for use in supporting an exo-prosthesis. U.S. Patent No. 9,433,505. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.