Advancements in Orthopedics & Regenerative Medicine: CURE Bank, Stem Cell Trials & Tendinopathy Research

CURE Bank (CU Regenerative Medicine Biobank): A robust, diverse, and high-quality biorepository aiming to provide various orthopedic, ophthalmologic, and dermatologic specimens for DNA/RNA/protein analysis. Human tissues are also paired with patient-reported outcome measures that focus on pain, physical function, and resiliency, among others. Additionally, cells are preserved and investigators may perform a variety of meaningful experiments to add valuable insight to the literature in Regenerative Medicine.

Osteoarthritis in the Knee and Adipose-Derived Stem Cells: An investigator-initiated, double-blind, clinical trial focused on measuring a clinically meaningful difference in patients with OA who are treated with autologous stem cells that are derived from the fat pad in the knee.

Articular cartilage defects in the knee and adipose-derived stem cells: An investigator-initiated, single-blinded, clinical trial focused on measuring a clinically meaningful difference in patients treated for a cartilage defect in the knee with either autologous stem cells via micro-drilling, or autologous stem cells that are derived from the fat pad in the knee.

Platelet-Poor Plasma in the Treatment of Acute Muscle Injuries: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial using platelet-poor plasma to inhibit fibrosis and promote muscle growth in acute muscle injuries.

Cell-Based Assays for Tendinopathy: Our lab employs a mechanical stretching model for tendon differentiation to evaluate differences in molecular signaling pathways of pathological vs normal human tenocytes. Additionally, we can use this model to test the efficacy of current orthobiologic treatments, such as PRP and bone marrow aspirate, as well as future pharmacologic or gene-editing treatments to restore normal function in pathologic tissues.