Stephanie Cone, one of the lab’s first two grad students, successfully defended her thesis! We’re all so proud of the lab’s first PhD, and look forward to adding another (Paul) this summer.
Does this mean we have to call you Doctor Cone now?
Stephanie with her committee
Category: Good News
Congratulations Graduates!
Congratulations to our seniors, Zack and Anya, who graduated this weekend. Anya graduated from Biomedical Engineering, and Zack graduated from the Materials Science and Engineering Department.
We’re so proud of you guys!
We got an R01 Grant!
Our recent R01 grant application was funded by the NIH! The proposal, titled “Sex- and Age-Dependent ACL Function in the Growing Knee Joint” has been funded for $1.6 million dollars from April 2018 through March of 2023. You can see more about the award here, or scroll down to see and abstract and the public health relevance of our research.
Per the NIH, “The Research Project Grant (R01) is the original and historically oldest grant mechanism used by NIH. The R01 provides support for health-related research and development based on the mission of the NIH”.
| Abstract Text: |
|---|
| Recent data indicates that the fastest rising rates of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries of the knee are reported in children and adolescents with significant growth remaining. In the skeletally immature patient population, surgical reconstruction is increasingly suggested for complete ACL tears. However, the choice of non-surgical treatment or immediate surgical reconstruction of ACL tears remains a subject of debate in young patients with significant growth remaining or in the case of partial tears involving one ACL bundle. Sex appears to be a major risk factor for ACL injury during adolescence, but not in childhood, adding another layer of complexity. For both complete and partial ACL injuries, treatment algorithms have been developed without considering the potential sex- and age-dependent function of the ACL, due to the paucity of available data. Thus, the objective of this proposal is to determine how age and sex impact ACL maturation and joint function during skeletal growth and to assess if this knowledge can be applied to improve treatment after ACL injury. Aim 1 will determine how sex impacts the maturation of the ACL as well as that of its individual AM and PL bundles during skeletal growth. Aim 2 will determine how age and sex impact the immediate loading of secondary tissues in-vitro and the remodeling response of the joint in-vivo following loss of function of the AM bundle, PL bundle, or the entire ACL. Aim 3 will determine how replacement graft type and placement should vary to restore age- and sex-specific ACL and joint function. Successful completion of these aims will provide a basic science foundation for the development of age- and sex-specific algorithms for the treatment of ACL injuries. |
|
Public Health Relevance Statement: |
| With increasing activity and participation in organized sports within children and adolescents, injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of the knee joint are rising dramatically, and appropriate age- and sex- dependent treatment algorithms are still unclear. The goal of this proposal is to determine how age and sex impact ACL maturation and joint function during skeletal growth and to assess if this knowledge can be applied to improve treatment after ACL injury. Such information will be critical to guide sex- and age-specific treatment strategies for children or adolescents with ACL injuries and significant remaining growth, and the knowledge obtained can be extended to guide new surgical and/or non-operative treatment. |
We’ve Moved!
Apologies for the long silence, but we’ve been busy with our exciting news: we’ve moved! Our lab is now located in the brand new Biomedical Partnership Center at the Center for Veterinary Medicine at NC State.
We’re sad to leave behind EB3, but excited about the possibilities for closer collaboration with our colleagues at the vet school. Plus we’re excited to have a lot more space, and it’s still shiny and new!
Photos of our new space will come once we have it all set up, but in the mean time we’d like to say a fond farewell to our old lab.
Paul Warren Passes Prelim Exam
Congratulations are in order for the lab’s latest official Ph.D. candidate! On June 13, Paul presented his thesis proposal to his committee and passed with flying colors. Congratulations Paul!
Congratulations to our Graduates!
Congratulations to Hope and Stephanie, who are both graduating this weekend.
.
Hope Piercy is graduating with her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering. After graduation, she will be working for Method Sense as a quality consultant.
.
Stephanie Teeter is graduating with her Master’s of Education degree in Science Education. After graduation, she plans to continue her work in the lab and will begin a part-time PhD in Science Education in the fall at NC State.
.
Congratulations to them, and everyone else graduating today!
Stephanie Cone Passes Ph.D. Prelim Exam
On December 7, Stephanie Cone presented her thesis proposal to her committee and passed with flying colors. She’s now an official Ph.D. candidate. Congratulations Stephanie!