Research Program
Departmental Research Focuses
Department research focuses in two areas:
the pathological basis for orthopaedic problems (understanding why
musculoskeletal problems occur), and therapeutic approaches to orthopaedic
problems (what can be done about it?)
Researchers investigating the pathological basis for orthopaedic problems studied cellular response (inflammation,
abnormal repair, and accelerated degradation); extracellular influences
(mechanical stress, growth factors, extracellular matrix); the genetic
basis for problems (mutations, predispositions); and aging.
Research on therapeutic approaches to orthopaedic problems focused
on surgical procedures (prosthetic devices, metal implants, and
biomaterials); orthobiologics (growth factors, recombinant proteins;
protein matrices and biogels; and acellular tissues); and cellular
therapies (stem cell, cells or tissues amplified in vitro, and platelet
infusion).
Dr. Hasty continued her research related to mechanisms that are
involved in destruction of the joints in rheumatoid and degenerative
arthritis. A NIH grant with Dr. John Stuart enabled her to study a spontaneous arthritis in laboratory mice. In
addition, with Drs. Fred Azar, Jinsong Huang and Kwideok Park, Dr. Hasty
has started studies of cartilage replacement in pig knees using tissue
cultured in the laboratory. In a related area, Dr. Hasty and Jae Ahn, MD,
PhD are engaged in tissue engineering research, concentrating on growing
and implanting an individual's own stem cell to regenerate tissue.
Clinical Science
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