Welcome to the Translational Spine and Joint Research Laboratory
Our lab has multiple open postdoc positions! Click for more details. If you are interested in joining our lab, please email Dr. Lachlan Smith.
The focus of our 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 the 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 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. Our research program is funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the University of Pennsylvania and numerous private foundations and benefactors. Details on specific projects can be found by following the links below.
- Development and Preclinical Evaluation of Bioactive Injectable Therapies for Intervertebral Disc Degeneration and Low Back Pain
- Pathogenesis and Treatment of Spine and Bone Disease in Mucopolysaccharidosis Disorders
- Biomarkers and Functional Correlates of Synovial Joint Disease in the Mucopolysaccharidoses
- Developmental Paradigms for Cell-based Intervertebral Disc Regeneration
- Developing Novel Clinical Tools for Integrating Surgery Patient Outcome Data with Basic and Translational Research