Research Summary
We study early responses to joint injury to learn about the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis and to identify intervention strategies. We study chondrocyte mechanobiology to understand how mechanical forces are translated into biochemical responses. We study cartilage matricellular proteins to gain insight into how cells interact with growth factors and the extracellular matrix.
We use animal models of joint injury and bone formation, explant models of osteochondral injuries, stem-cell based tissue engineering, and 3-axis bioreactors to mechanically stimulate hydrogel-embedded chondrocytes and stem cells.
We apply the knowledge to translational studies. Example: Intervene with inflammatory gene expression upon joint injury to prevent or delay OA. Example: Enhance BMP-mediated bone regeneration by presenting the growth factor in a biologically relevant context on matricellular proteins.
- Gabriel Fraley
- Dustin Leale
- Yihan Li
- Jasper Yik
- Linan Li
- Yang Song
- Kaitlin Clake, BMCDB rotation student Winter 2018
- Jennifer Bailey, BMCDB rotation student Winter 2018
- Gabriel Fraley, BMCDB rotation Student Fall 2017
- Jason Leddy, 2016-17 Undergraduate Honors Program Thesis, Applying to Medical Schools for Fall 2019
- Serena Libert, 2017 Undergraduate Researcher, continuing undergrad at UC Davis
- Rebecca Godin, UC Davis Undergraduate, 2015-16, Applying to Medical School
- Jeffrey Lu, Received BMEGG PhD in 2016, Working in Bay Area Industry
- Evan Liam, Medical School visiting intern, returned to Ireland to finish medical school
- Connor Nathe, Medical School visiting intern, returned to UCLA School of Medicine
- Sohni Singh, UC Davis Medical Student, 2016 summer, returned to Medical School at UC Davis
- Nestor Campos, UC Davis Undergraduate, 2015-16, currently applying to Medical School
- Yasaman Arabi, UC Davis Undergraduate 2013-16,
- Akash Shah, UC Davis Undergraduate, 2014-15,
- Andrew Haddad, UC Davis Undergraduate, 2014-15, Graduated UC Davis 2016,
- Maneesh Vij, Research Associate 2015-16, Graduated from Yale and is pursuing Medical School
- Adam Wegner M.D., Ph.D., Research Resident in Orthopaedic Surgery 2014-15, returned to finish residency after 1 year research project on Nox4 in PTOA
- Nasser Heyrani M.D., Research Resident
- Michael Robbins, Medical Student 2014-15, Orthopaedic Residency in Oregon
- Alireza Tafazzol, BMEGG Ph.D., Student, joined Maury Hull’s lab for PhD Project
- Tomoaki Fukui M.D. Ph.D., Post-doctoral Researcher 2013-15, returned to Kobe University as an Orthopaedic Surgeon
- Anthony Ho, BMCDB Rotation Student Fall 2013
- Jaime Fong, UC Davis Medical Student, 2013 summer, returned to Medical School at UC Davis
- Patrick Michellier, UC Davis Medical Student, 2013 summer, returned to Medical School at UC Davis
- Daniel O’Connor, UC Davis Medical Student, 2013 summer, returned to Medical School at UC Davis
- Motasem Refaat, M.D., Research Resident, now Clinical Instructor at UCSF Fresno
- Maneesh Vij, Yale Undergraduate, returned to Yale to finish BS and apply to medical school
- Federico Ferro, Ph.D, Post-doctoral Researcher, returned to Italy with Family
- Nina Liu, Undergraduate, Applying to Medical School
- Kie Shidara, Undergraduate, Applying to Medical School
- Joanna Turkiewicz, Undergraduate – at UC Irvine School of Medicine
- Elizabeth Tenborg, Research Assistant – went to UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
- Ethan Z’iang Hu M.D., Ph.D., Post-doctoral Researcher – now in Orthopaedic Practice in China
- Chitrangada Acharya, Ph.D., Post-doctoral Researcher – took Scientist Position in Biotech
- Kazunari Ishida, M.D., Ph.D., Post-doctoral Researcher – now in Orthopaedic Practice in Kobe, Japan
- Derek Amanatullah, M.D., Ph.D., Research Resident – now Faculty at Stanford Orthopaedics
- Eunmee Hong, Ph.D., Post-doctoral Researcher – took post-doctoral position in lab of A. Hari Reddi
- Ashleen Kishore, Research Assistant – scribe, applying to Post-Bac pre-med program
- Victoria Van Dihn, Research Assistant – position in Biotech
- Kaylene Snow, Research Assistant – Applying to medical school
| Award Document Number | Agency Name | Project Title |
| RAR070239A | ARTHRITIS, MUSCULOSKELETAL & SKIN DISEASES, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF | Multivalent Presentation of Growth Factors Regulates Cellular Responses |
| W81XWH181073 | CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED MEDICAL RESEARCH PROGRAMS | Prevention of Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis with CDK9 Inhibitors |
| R43AR074368 | VALITOR, INC. | Anti-inflammatory bioconjugates for sustained inhibition of post-traumatic osteoarthritis following joint injury |
| PR200947 | Congressionally directed medical research programs (or DoD/CDMRP) | Dual Anti-inflammatory and Anti-viral Strategy to Combat COVID19 |
