Scaffolds that help tendons reattach to bone after rotator cuff or ACL repair
Biomimetic approaches for enthesis tissue engineering
This project develops lab-made scaffold materials that mimic the tendon-to-bone junction to help adults heal better after rotator cuff or ACL surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11235914 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team is creating biomimetic scaffolds that copy the natural transition between tendon and bone to promote stronger healing after surgical repair. They will build scaffolds with graded composition and structure and test approaches that add cell signals so the right cell types grow in the right places. The work will be validated in lab and animal models and guided toward clinical use by researchers at Columbia and Georgia Tech. The goal is both off-the-shelf (acellular) scaffolds and cell-guided options that reduce repair failures and re-tears.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who need tendon-to-bone repair, such as people undergoing rotator cuff or ACL reconstruction, are the likely candidates for eventual clinical use.
Not a fit: People without tendon-to-bone injuries, children, or those not undergoing surgical repair are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these scaffolds could strengthen the tendon-to-bone attachment and lower failure and re-tear rates after tendon repair surgeries.
How similar studies have performed: Related lab and animal studies have shown promising improvements in enthesis healing, but human clinical benefit remains unproven and is still novel.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thomopoulos, Stavros — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Thomopoulos, Stavros
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.