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McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory

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Welcome to Gullbrand Laboratory

Our lab studies how aberrant structure-function relationships across the spine contribute to the initiation and progression of degenerative disc disease. Our work spans multiple length scales across model systems of disease and human tissue. We probe spinal tissues, including intervertebral discs, vertebral bones, cartilage endplates, and facet joints, elucidating connections between tissue structure and degeneration by employing a suite of biomechanical and bioimaging tools. Our group also focuses on utilizing this knowledge to inform the development of tissue-engineering-based approaches for disc regeneration. Central to this work, in collaboration with Harvey Smith, MD and Robert Mauck, PhD, is the translation of a whole tissue engineered intervertebral disc replacement towards clinical application in human patients. 

The Gullbrand lab is uniquely situated in the Translational Musculoskeletal Research Center at the Philadelphia Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center.

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Dr. Sarah Gullbrand Receives JOR Spine Early Career Award
January 14, 2022
Congratulations to Dr. Sarah Gullbrand for receiving the 2022 JOR Spine Early Career Award! This award recognizes the ‘rising stars’ of the spine field and highlights their outstanding work published in the JOR Spine.

Penn Medicine Blog Features Sonal Mahindroo and Dr. Sarah Gullbrand
September 02, 2021
Julie Wood, from Penn Medicine's Department of Communication, covers Gullbrand lab member Sonal Mahindroo's journey into research at Penn. As an energetic undergraduate student at Saint Bonaventure University, Sonal took part in the McKay Orthopaedic Research Lab's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion conference grant program which led to her summer research with Dr. Gullbrand. Hear Sonal's story from orthopaedic patient to orthopaedic researcher on the Penn Medicine news blog.

Congratulations to Dr. Beth Ashinsky and Coauthors
March 24, 2021
Congratulations to Dr. Beth Ashinsky and coauthors for the paper "Intervertebral Disc Degeneration and Regeneration: A Motion Segment Perspective" published in European Cells and Materials!

Dr. Sarah Gullbrand and Dr. Sachin Gupta present at ORS!
February 15, 2021
Congratulations to Dr. Sarah Gullbrand and Dr. Sachin Gupta on their talks at the Orthopaedic Research Society's 2021 Annual Meeting. Sarah presented on "Tissue-Engineered Total Disc Replacement," while Sachin spoke about his work on "Alterations in Facet Joint Biomechanics with Intervertebral Disc Degeneration."

The Gullbrand Lab Joins McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory
September 01, 2020
Congratulations to Dr. Sarah Gullbrand on her appointment as Research Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery!

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