Combining Advanced Biomaterials and Designer Stem Cells to Treat Disc Degeneration: A Regenerative Medicine Approach to Address the Grand Challenge of Back Pain
We are developing a new biomaterials platform to deliver stem cells to the intervertebral disc as a new therapy to restore function. This Grand Challenge research will lay the foundation for advancing a novel regenerative medicine approach aimed at improving the health and quality of life for individuals suffering from disc degeneration and back pain.
Co-PIs: Cheryle Seguin & Lauren Flynn
Stream 2: $25,000
According to the Global Burden of Disease study, back pain is the single most common cause of disability worldwide, affecting over 80% of Canadians during their lifetime.
Although back pain has complex causes, it is most often associated with degeneration of the spinal joints named intervertebral discs. Despite its significant impact on Canadians and the associated health care and socioeconomic burden, no disease-modifying treatments currently exist.
This research seeks to address the grand challenge of back pain by bringing together key stakeholders who each represent individual pieces of the puzzle. Leveraging the expertise of our diverse international, interdisciplinary team, we will develop a novel biomaterials platform to deliver ‘designer’ pro-regenerative stem cells to the intervertebral discs as a therapy to restore function. We will optimize our therapeutic product by testing various material and cell combinations in the lab under conditions that mimic the disc, using high-throughput bioreactor systems and a clinically relevant large animal model. The supported activities will facilitate the transfer of critical knowledge and skills among three institutions (Western, Queen’s, Cedars-Sinai USA), fostering innovation in conventional approaches and generating key pilot data to support future collaborative grants.
If successful, this research will lay the foundation for advancing a novel cell-based therapy aimed at improving the health and quality of life for individuals suffering from disc degeneration and back pain.
