Understanding joint pain and developing personalized treatments
Official title: Joint Pain on a Chip: Mechanistic Analysis Therapeutic Targets and an Empirical Strategy for Personalized Pain Management
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10387104 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how joint pain works in people with osteoarthritis by using a special model that acts like a real joint, with the goal of finding better ways to manage pain for those who suffer from this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 26, 2019 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2021 |
| Award (this year) | $2,287,391 |
| NIH project number | 4UH3TR003090-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10387104 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are experiencing joint pain related to osteoarthritis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with joint pain not related to osteoarthritis or those who are not adults may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind joint pain, particularly in osteoarthritis, using an innovative model called a microJoint, which mimics the structure and function of a real joint. By integrating various joint tissues and introducing sensory nerves, the research aims to better understand how pain is generated and how it can be managed more effectively. The approach includes analyzing the interactions between different cell types and the factors they release, which may contribute to pain and sensitivity in the joint. This could lead to the development of safer and more effective pain management strategies for patients suffering from osteoarthritis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new, personalized pain management therapies that are safer and more effective for patients with osteoarthritis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using similar in vitro models to study joint pain, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gold, Michael S — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Gold, Michael S
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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.