Lachlan James Smith, PhD
Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
Department: Orthopaedic Surgery
Graduate Group Affiliations
Contact information
McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory
378A Stemmler Hall
3450 Hamilton Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104
378A Stemmler Hall
3450 Hamilton Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Office: 215-746-2169
Fax: 215-573-2133
Fax: 215-573-2133
Education
B.E. (Mechatronic Engineering)
University of Adelaide, 2001.
Ph.D. (Pathology)
University of Adelaide, 2008.
Permanent linkB.E. (Mechatronic Engineering)
University of Adelaide, 2001.
Ph.D. (Pathology)
University of Adelaide, 2008.
Description of Research Expertise
The focus of my research program is the pathophysiology and treatment of degenerative and developmental disorders affecting the spine and synovial joints. The scope of our research includes basic mechanistic studies, translational studies in animal models, and clinical studies in human patients. We use cutting edge techniques in molecular biology, biochemistry and bioengineering, coupled with novel in vitro model systems to study disease mechanisms. Our research in the translational space bridges the fields of tissue engineering, biomaterials, drug delivery and stem cells, and is focused on arresting disease progression, restoring spine and joint function and potentiating long term tissue regeneration. We use novel, naturally occurring and inducible large and small animal models to study disease etiology and evaluate therapeutics. Our multidisciplinary team includes biologists, bioengineers, clinicians and veterinarians.Selected Publications
Bhadouria N, Gawri R, Graziani G, Anderson DE, Chee AV, Dahia CL, Diwan A, Giers MB, Illien-Junger S, Kirilusha A, Nuckley DJ, Rosenzweig DH, Séguin C, Sheyn D, Teixeira GQ, Alini M, Ito K, Mauck RL, Sakai D, Bailey J, Fields AJ, Grad S, Gullbrand SE, Holguin N, Kandel R, Li Z, Li J, Martin JT, Mwale F, O'Connell GD, Purmessur D, Vo N, Zehra U, Chahine NO, Haglund L, Hoyland JA, Le Maitre CL, Lotz JC, Risbud MV, Smith LJ, Tang S, Iatridis JC, Wuertz-Kozak K, Samartzis D: A Decade of Leadership and Impact: Celebrating 10 Years of the ORS Spine Section. JOR Spine 9(2): e70180, June 2026.Maparu AK, Rajagopal K, Iyer K, Mauck RL, Smith LJ: Preconditioning Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Enhance Performance in the Degenerate Nucleus Pulposus. Tissue Engineering Part B Reviews In press, June 2026.
Dahia CL, Smith LJ, Risbud MV, Gantenbein B: Advancing Basic and Preclinical Spine Research: Highlights from the ORS PSRS 7th International Spine Research Symposium. JOR Spine 9(1): e70161, March 2026.
Gu BJ, Rajagopal K, Malhotra NR, Mauck RL, Schipani E, Smith LJ: HIF Prolyl Hydroxylase Inhibition Enhances Healthy Extracellular Matrix Production by Nucleus Pulposus Cells. Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting, Charlotte, USA 2026 Notes: Poster.
Rajagopal K, Iyer K, Zhang D, Molony CM, Casal ML, Smith LJ: In vitro evaluation of therapeutic beta-glucuronidase enzyme uptake and penetration in articular cartilage. WORLD Symposium on Lysosomal Diseases, San Diego, USA 2026.
Iyer K, Fazelinia H, Spruce L, Deng C, Wang M, Nesom G, Link K, Madden R, Gonzalez M, Fajgenbaum D, Ficicioglu C, Smith LJ: Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Saliva, Urine, and Serum in Mucopolysaccharidosis I Patients. WORLD Symposium on Lysosomal Diseases, San Diego, USA 2026.
Rajagopal K, Schaer TP, Zhang C, Meadows KD, Hilliard R, O'Donnell JC, Dodge GR, Petrov D, Elliott DM, Mauck RL, Smith LJ*, Malhotra NR*. *Co-corresponding authors.: In Vivo Measurements Reveal Increased Nucleus Pulposus Lactate and Oxygen Concentrations in a Goat Model of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration. JOR Spine 8(2): e70076, June 2025.
Smith LJ, Campbell R, Smith E, Lutz E, Molony CM, Casal ML: Postnatal Progression of Skeletal Disease in Mucopolysaccharidosis VI Dogs: Preliminary Findings. WORLD Symposium on Lysosomal Diseases, San Diego USA 2025.
Rajagopal K, Swingle KL, Iyer K, Jiang Z, Smith E, Molony CM, Dodge GR, Volk SW, Casal ML, Mitchell MJ, Smith LJ: In vitro development and in vivo evaluation of intra-articular GUSB mRNA therapy for mucopolysaccharidosis VII WORLD Symposium on Lysosomal Diseases, San Diego, USA 2025.
Maparu AK, Iyer K, Rajagopal R, Siddiqui Z, Campbell R, Molony CM, Volk SW, Mauck RL, Casal ML, Mitchell MJ, Smith LJ: Porous microcarriers for sustained delivery of mRNA-lipid nanoparticles to treat joint disease in the mucopolysaccharidoses. WORLD Symposium on Lysosomal Diseases, San Diego, USA 2025.