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Aging along with inflammation, infection, and trauma can all cause damage to joint tissue resulting in arthritic disorders. These disorders can be debilitating, significantly impacting on quality of life.
A team of University of Pittsburgh researchers have developed a 3D human micro-joint chip (mJoint) physiologically analogous to joints and capable of modelling pathogenesis of joint disease to allow for the development of disease-modifying medications (DMMs) for arthritic disorders.
This new preclinical model will overcome the existing challenges in current models using a personalizable 3D mJoint containing all components of a human joint including cartilage, bone, synovium, and infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP). The mJoint aims to replicate the in vivo conditions in human OA and other arthritic conditions, meaning experimental results will be more clinically relevant.
Meet the Pitt Innovators
Hang Lin, PhD | Department of Orthopaedic Surgery | University of Pittsburgh
Peter Alexander, PhD | Department of Orthopaedic Surgery | University of Pittsburgh
Rocky Sung Chi Tuan, PhD