Clinton T. Rubin, Ph.D.

SUNY Distinguished Professor
Director, Center for Biotechnology

Musculoskeletal Research Laboratory

Research Focus

The major research focus of our lab's work is targeted towards understanding the cellular mechanisms responsible for the growth, healing and homeostasis of bone. More specifically, we are interested in how biophysical stimuli (e.g., mechanical, electrical, ultrasound) 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.  Our lab is also very interested in how mechanical signals bias the fate selection of mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cells, as a means of treating obesity and diabetes through developmental, rather than metabolic pathways. 
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.
Dr. Rubin is also working in collaboration with Marodyne Medical to bring Low Intensity Vibration to the clinic for non-drug therapies for injury and disease.
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.

Education

• Res. Fellow - Biomechanics, Brigham & Women's Hosp. Boston, MA, 1984-1985
• Res. Assoc. - Cell Biology, Tufts Univ., Boston, MA, 1983-1984
• Ph.D. - Anatomy, Univ. of Bristol, Bristol, U.K., 1983
• B.A. - Physiology, Harvard Univ., Cambridge, MA, 1977

Academic Appointments

2000-2017	Chair, Department of Biomedical Engineering
1997-present	Visiting Scientist, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY
1997-present	Director, Center for Advanced Technology in Medical Biotechnology, New York State office of Science, Technology and Academic Research
1995-2000	Director, Program in Biomedical Engineering, S.U.N.Y., Stony Brook.
1992-present	Professor of Orthopaedics, Anatomy, Molecular Biophysics & Mechanical Eng. S.U.N.Y., Stony Brook.
1987-present	Director, Musculo-Skeletal Research Laboratory, S.U.N.Y., Stony Brook.
1987-1992	Associate Professor of Orthopaedics, Anatomy, & Mechanical Engineering, S.U.N.Y., Stony Brook.
1984-1987	Assistant Professor of Anatomy & Cell Biol., Tufts Univ. School Med., Boston, Mass.

Honors

• 2020: Founder, Lahara Bio, Inc. (Biomanufacturing Company)
• 2019: Fellow, Biomedical Engineering Society
• 2018: Fellow, American Society of Bone Mineral Research
• 2018: SBU Graduate School Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching by a Faculty Member
• 2017: Fellow, National Academy of Inventors
• 2016: Inductee, Long Island Technology Hall of Fame
• 2015: Innovator of the Year; Biotech Mentor, Innovate Long Island
• 2014: Fellow, American Association for the Advance of Science (AAAS)
• 2012: Outstanding Clinical Investigator Award, Biomedical Engineering Society and the Society for Physical Regulation in Biology and Medicine, Combined Meeting.
• 2009: Founder, Marodyne Medical, Inc.
• 2009: Chief Scientific Officer, Marodyne Medical, Inc
• 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: Founder, Juvent, Inc.
• 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

Publications via Google Scholar.

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