Injectable materials to repair meniscus and other dense joint tissues
Dynamic Acellular Materials for Repairing Dense Connective Tissues
This project is creating an injectable gel and tiny drug-filled capsules to help meniscus tears heal and lower joint inflammation for adults with knee injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11325437 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers plan to deliver a shear-thinning, injectable hydrogel made from gelatin and hyaluronic acid into meniscal tears so cells from the surrounding tissue can quickly move in. The hydrogel has a high surface area and porous microinterfaces designed to support cell infiltration and new tissue formation. They pair the gel with mechano-activatable microcapsules that release drugs in stages, including a short-term agent to soften cell nuclei to aid migration and an anti-inflammatory blocker to counter joint inflammation. These approaches are being tested in lab and animal models with the goal of enabling minimally invasive delivery and improved meniscus repair outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with acute or recent meniscal tears in the knee who are candidates for minimally invasive repair approaches would be the most likely participants.
Not a fit: People with large, irreparable meniscus loss, advanced end-stage knee osteoarthritis, or who cannot receive intra-articular injections may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could restore meniscus function, reduce joint degeneration and inflammation, and potentially avoid more invasive surgeries.
How similar studies have performed: Injectable hydrogels and anti-inflammatory agents have shown promise in animal studies, but combining a cell-infiltrating bicontinuous gel with staged mechano-activated drug release is a newer, largely preclinical approach.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mauck, Robert L — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Mauck, Robert L
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.