SpinalCyte, LLC, a spinal technology company focused on autologous regrowth of the spinal disc nucleus using human dermal fibroblasts, announced today the publication of its research completed with Rice University, titled, "Chondrogenic Differentiation of Neonatal Human Dermal Fibroblasts Encapsulated in Alginate Beads with Hydrostatic Compression Under Hypoxic Conditions in the Presence of Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2". Published in the June 2011 issue of Journal of Biomedical Materials Research, the research provides validation of SpinalCyte's core technology to regrow the spinal disc, using human dermal fibroblasts. The research was conducted over a 2 year period under the direction of acclaimed researcher, Antonios Mikos, Ph.D. at Rice University's Department of Bioengineering. Using intermittent hydrostatic pressure, the dermal cells were successfully differentiated into cartilage type cells necessary to regrow the nucleus pulposus.
“We are currently completing animal studies and we are excited about the future for this type of technology and the movement towards biologics as a surgical solution.”
The nucleus pulposus is a gelatinous material that acts as a cushion or shock absorber to the spinal column. It functions to distribute hydraulic pressure in all directions within each disc under compressive loads. The nucleus pulposus consists of chondrocytes, collagenfibrils, and proteoglycan aggrecans.
"The publication of our research program with Dr. Mikos and his team at Rice University is further validation of our emerging technology," said Pete O'Heeron, Chief Executive Officer. "We are currently completing animal studies and we are excited about the future for this type of technology and the movement towards biologics as a surgical solution."
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