Biography
Matthew B. Wheeler is a professor of biotechnology and developmental biology, director of the Transgenic Livestock Facility, a faculty member in the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology’s Tissue Engineering Group, and an affiliate faculty member in the Beckman Institute Biological Sensors Group. He researches reproductive biology, tissue engineering and stem cells, and holds numerous patents in stem cells, gene transfer and transgenic livestock. His research led to the development of 3-D airway splints for infants with tracheobronchomalacia and to bone replacement implants. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal sciences from the University of California-Davis and a doctorate in physiology and biophysics from Colorado State University. Since joining the Department of Animal Sciences in 1989, he has consistently been rated one of its top teachers, and received several awards, including the 1999 D.E. Becker Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and Counseling, the 2001 H.H. Mitchell Award for Excellence in Research and Graduate Teaching. He was named a University Scholar in 2002. Dr. Wheeler received the College of ACES Funk Award for Excellence (2012), the International Embryo Technology Society’s Distinguished Service Award (2015), the Carle Foundation Hospital Friends of Research Award (2013), and the UIUC Distinguished Faculty Leadership Award (2016), the “Mentor of the Year Award Award”, International Embryo Technology Society (2017). He has also been named an Honorary Lifetime Member of both the Brazilian Embryo Transfer Society and the International Embryo Technology Society.
Research Description
Professor Wheeler Research activities can be divided into six areas of research. Generally, the work can be described as large animal reproductive physiology with an emphasis on 1) production of transgenic livestock, particularly swine and cattle, with improved production characteristics; 2) molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in embryonic stem cell development/ differentiation and early embryonic gene expression; 3) genetic evaluation, molecular gene mapping in livestock, early embryonic genotype evaluation; 4) development of remote sensing and microfludic handling methods for mammalian embryos; 5) the use of stem cells (adult and embryonic) for tissue engineering and cell-base therapies and 6) the use assisted reproductive technologies (in vitro maturation, in vitro fertilization, embryo culture, non-invasive embryo evaluation and embryo transfer) to improve livestock and food production. Long term goals are to 1) identify genes that regulate reproduction, lactation and growth; 2) develop methodologies in embryos to edit, transfer and utilize these genes for the genetic improvement of livestock; and 3) devise strategies for using stem cells for cell and tissue replacement.
Education
Ph.D. (Physiology and Biophysics, Colorado State University)
Master's of Science (Reproductive Physiology, University of California-Davis)
Bachelor's of Science (Animal Science, University of California-Davis)
Additional Campus Affiliations
Professor, Animal Sciences
Professor, Bioengineering
Adjunct Professor, Veterinary Clinical Medicine
Professor, Biomedical and Translational Sciences
Professor, Micro and Nanotechnology Lab
Professor, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology
Professor, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology
Recent Publications
Monzani, P. S., Sangalli, J. R., Sampaio, R. V., Guemra, S., Zanin, R., Adona, P. R., Berlingieri, M. A., Cunha-Filho, L. F. C., Mora- Ocampo, I. Y., Pirovani, C. P., Meirelles, F. V., Wheeler, M. B., & Ohashi, O. M. (2024). Human proinsulin production in the milk of transgenic cattle. Biotechnology Journal, 19(3), Article 2300307. https://doi.org/10.1002/biot.202300307
Popescu, G., Kandel, M. E., He, Y., Sobh, N. A., Wheeler, M. B., & Rubessa, M. (2024). Complex System For Contextual Mask Generation Based On Quantitative Imaging. (U.S. Patent No. 12067712).
Wheeler, M. B., Rabel, R. A. C., Rubessa, M., & Popescu, G. (2024). Label-free, high-throughput holographic imaging to evaluate mammalian gametes and embryos†. Biology of reproduction, 110(6), 1125-1134. https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioae057
Ho, N. C., Hollister, S. J., Agrawal, V., Flanagan, C. L., Lee, C., Wheeler, M. B., Wang, H., Ebramzadeh, E., & Sangiorgio, S. N. (2023). Evaluation of Topology Optimization Using 3D Printing for Bioresorbable Fusion Cages: A Biomechanical Study in a Porcine Model. Spine, 48(4), E46-E53. https://doi.org/10.1097/BRS.0000000000004491
Marchioretto, P. V., Rabel, R. A. C., Allen, C. A., Ole-Neselle, M. M. B., & Wheeler, M. B. (2023). Development of genetically improved tropical-Adapted dairy cattle. Animal Frontiers, 13(5), 7-15. https://doi.org/10.1093/af/vfad050