Multiscale tendon damage in an animal model of tendinosis
Official title: Multiscale tendon damage and aberrant cellular responses in an in vivo model of tendinosis
Funded at University of Delaware · NIH-11406347 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new animal study tests how repetitive overuse damages tendons at multiple scales and how this damage affects cells, aiming to understand why tendinosis develops.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Delaware NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 22, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $451,338 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR080059-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11406347 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patients directly, as the study uses an animal model.
✕Less likely to help
Results from this animal study may not yet translate to immediate patient treatments.
What this research studies
This project uses a rat model where the Achilles tendon is overloaded to mimic overuse injuries seen in humans. Researchers will examine structural changes from whole-tendon down to cells and molecules, and study how mechanical signals inside cells drive disease progression. By combining in vivo imaging, tissue analysis, and cellular signaling studies, they aim to map how loading leads to tendon degeneration. The work builds a bridge from physical tendon damage to cellular responses that worsen tendinosis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding these mechanisms could guide better prevention and treatment strategies for tendon overuse injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown tendon overuse models can recapitulate human tendinosis features in animals, supporting this approach’s relevance.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Delaware
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Elliott, Dawn M — University of Delaware
- Study coordinator: Elliott, Dawn M
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.