Thomas J. Webster is an American biomedical engineer, researcher, and entrepreneur. Throughout his over 25-year academic career, his research group has produced several books and book chapters. He has over 1350 publications and has an H-index of 118.[1]
Webster's research has examined the multiple uses of nanotechnology. His studies focus on the development, production, and assessment of nanophase materials as superior biomedical materials.[4] He has conducted in-depth research on the application of nanophase materials for tissue regeneration.[5][6] His research has focussed on hydroxyapatite, the major inorganic component to bone.[7][8][9] In contrast to hydroxyapatite that had not been doped, Webster's research on osteoblast (bone-forming cells) response to hydroxyapatite doped with divalent and trivalent cations showed that osteoblast adherence and differentiation on the doped HA were boosted.[10][11] In other research, he creates surfaces with nanostructures that have been FDA-approved for implantation in tissues like bone, the spine, and dental applications.[12]
In addition, he is particularly involved in creating nanoparticles that may enter biofilms, lessen inflammation, and specifically target cancer cells.[13][14] Dr. Webster was the first to identify improved tissue growth on nanomaterials.[6][15] He was the first to identify decreased bacteria functions on nanomaterials.[16][17][18] Dr. Webster was the first to establish a mathematical equation that can be used to predict nanoscale surface features to improve tissue growth, reduce infection, and limit infection.[19] He trademarked this process as “Nano-Optimized”, 2008.[20]
Metallic nanoparticles as orthopedic biomaterial (EP1613248B1)[41]
Antipathogenic surfaces having selenium nanoclusters (WO2012009433A1)[42]
These patents have formed many companies who have commercial products including Audax, NanoVis, NanoVis Spine, Perios, Dental Regen, Quarksen, SynCell, Novaraum, AKiCept, Zeda, MetaFree, and Interstellar Therapeutics.
Publications
Webster and his team have published over 1350 peer-reviewed publications. His H-index places him in the top 1% of cited articles by researchers in materials science.
An example of these articles appear below:
Thomas J Webster, Celaletdin Ergun, Robert H Doremus, Richard W Siegel, Rena Bizios; Enhanced functions of osteoblasts on nanophase ceramics. Biomaterials.[43]
Thomas J Webster, Celaletdin Ergun, Robert H Doremus, Richard W Siegel, Rena Bizios. Specific proteins mediate enhanced osteoblast adhesion on nanophase ceramics. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research.[44]
Thomas J Webster, Jeremiah U Ejiofor. Increased osteoblast adhesion on nanophase metals: Ti, Ti6Al4V, and CoCrMo. Biomaterials.[45]
Thomas J Webster, Celaletdin Ergun, Robert H Doremus, Richard W Siegel, Rena Bizios. Enhanced osteoclast-like cell functions on nanophase ceramics. Biomaterials.[46]
Thomas J Webster, Linda S Schadler, Richard W Siegel, Rena Bizios. Mechanisms of enhanced osteoblast adhesion on nanophase alumina involve vitronectin. Tissue engineering.[47]
Controversies
Retractions
As of September 1, 2024, at least seven articles co-authored by Webster have been retracted.
Dai, Mingzhi; Wu, Zhendong; Qi, Shaocheng; Huo, Changhe; Zhang, Qiang; Zhang, Xingye; Webster, Thomas J.; Zhang, Hengbo (2020-03-17). "Implementation of PPI with Nano Amorphous Oxide Semiconductor Devices for Medical Applications". International Journal of Nanomedicine. 15: 1863–1870. doi:10.2147/IJN.S207852. PMC7085341. PMID32231432. (Retracted,see doi:10.2147/IJN.S354565, PMID34992366) - "Concerns were raised by the Editor following the authors request to make several corrections to the published article. Many of the requested corrections related to data descriptions in the Materials and Methods and the Results and Discussion. Readers should note the Editor confirms the retraction is not due to academic misconduct but owing to the number of corrections reported within the article which were too numerous to be corrected in a standard corrigendum."
Webster resigned from his position at Northeastern in 2021, reportedly "after dozens of his studies came under scrutiny online."[48] Webster later stated, "An external investigation panel appointed by Northeastern University consisting of world renowned researchers came to the conclusion in their final report that I had not fabricated or falsified data, and subsequently cleared me of any academic wrongdoing."[49]
↑ US10344300B2,Chen, Yunpeng; Chen, Qian& Webster, Thomas J.et al.,"Nanotubes as carriers of nucleic acids into cells",issued 2019-07-09
↑ US20030050711A1,Laurencin, Cato&Ko, Frank,"Hybrid nanofibril matrices for use as tissue engineering devices",issued 2003-03-13
↑ US7993412B2,Webster, Thomas J.&McKENZIE, Janice L.,"Nanofibers as a neural biomaterial",issued 2011-08-09
↑ US10201634B2,Webster, Thomas J.; Fenniri, Hicham& Hemraz, Usha Devi,"Nanotubes and compositions thereof",issued 2019-02-12
↑ US10751280B2,Hennemann, Willard W.; Steelman, Bryan L.& Webster, Thomas J.,"Implantable cellular and biotherapeutic agent delivery canister",issued 2020-08-25
↑ US20110125263A1,Webster, Thomas J.&Yao, Chang,"Method for producing nanostructures on a surface of a medical implant",issued 2011-05-26
↑ US11560014B2,Webster, Thomas J.,"Nanostructured surfaces",issued 2023-01-24
↑ US20220071919A1,Cruz, David Medina; CRUA, Ada Vernet& Webster, Thomas J.,"Tellurium Nanostructures with Antimicrobial and Anticancer Properties Synthesized by Aloe Vera-Mediated Green Chemistry",issued 2022-03-10
↑ EP1613248B1,Webster, Thomas J.&Ejiofor, Jeremiah U.,"Metallic nanoparticles as orthopedic biomaterial",issued 2012-08-01
↑ WO2012009433A1,Webster, Thomas J.&Tran, Phong Anh,"Antipathogenic surfaces having selenium nanoclusters",issued 2012-01-19
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