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Histological analysis of rat intervertebral disc tissue prior to (left) and post injury (center) compared to 6 weeks post treatment (right).
Invention Summary:
Degeneration of fibrocartilaginous tissues, such as intervertebral discs (IVD), knee menisci, and other tendon-bone junctions, can lead to debilitating pain. IVD degeneration is the leading cause of back pain and is a precursor to more severe conditions such as hernia, bone spurs, and arthritis. Current treatments include NSAIDs, physical therapy, and surgery. However, current therapies for combating the inflammation that underlies IVD degeneration are short-acting.
To address this issue, a team led by Rutgers scientists have developed a novel method for nanomaterial-templated protein assembly. The resulting assemblies display robust reactive-oxygen species and cell-free nucleic acid scavenging. This technology has been tested in a rat nucleotomy model, demonstrating effective reduction of inflammation, pain relief, and disc regeneration post-injury.
Market Applications:
- IVD Repair
- Drug delivery for spinal cord injury
- Wound healing
- Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis treatment
Advantages:
- Long-term anti-inflammatory therapy
- Sustained drug release at injury site
- Robust ROS and cell-free DNA scavenging
Publications: • https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/adma.202303021
Intellectual Property & Development Status: Provisional application filed. Patent pending. Available for licensing and/or research collaboration. For any business development and other collaborative partnerships, contact: marketingbd@research.rutgers.edu
