Encapsulation of cells in a biocompatible hydrogel to relieve pain following intervertebral disc degeneration

Intravertebral disc degeneration is a common debilitating condition for which there is no cure and leads to back pain and disability. In order to provide sustained pain relief, research is investigating the use of local cell transplantation into the disc. However, many current cell delivery strategies suffer from low cell retention and survival following injection into the tissue. To address this, our lab has developed an injectable, biocompatible hydrogel (HAMC) that cells can be mixed into and then injected through a small-gauge needle. We have previously demonstrated efficacy of this system in models of spinal cord injury, stroke, and retinal degeneration. First, we will combine cells with HAMC on the benchtop and test the ability to load cells into the syringe and cell survival following injection, and the optimal HAMC formulation will be determined. TO BE CONT’D

Faculty Supervisor:

Molly Shoichet

Student:

Partner:

CHA University

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Toronto

Program: