Leo Han, PhD, associate professor of mechanical engineering and
mechanics at Drexel University, has been awarded an NSF research grant to
further develop RibbonGel, a new material designed to improve
cartilage repair. The funding will help Han and his team refine this
technology, which could lead to faster healing and better long-term outcomes
for patients with joint damage.
Cartilage damage, often caused by sports injuries or aging, can be difficult
to heal because cartilage does not regenerate easily on its own. A widely
used treatment, Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI), involves taking a
patient’s own cartilage cells (chondrocytes), growing them in a lab, and
then implanting them back into the damaged area using a collagen membrane
from pigs. While effective, this process has drawbacks, such as long
recovery times and difficulty in getting the new cartilage to integrate
smoothly with existing tissue.
Han’s research focuses on RibbonGel, a gel-like material made from
tiny collagen ribbons that are activated by blue light. When mixed with
cartilage cells and placed into an injury site, RibbonGel quickly
forms a 3D structure that fills the damaged area and holds the cells in
place. This creates a more stable and natural environment for cartilage
regeneration, helping new tissue grow more evenly and reducing the risk of
the implant failing.
“RibbonGel has the potential to make cartilage repair faster,
easier, and more successful,” said Han. “By improving how cells are
distributed and providing a scaffold that mimics natural cartilage, this
technology could lead to better healing and a lower chance of
complications.”
Early tests using large animal models, such as horses, have shown promising
results, suggesting that RibbonGel could be a game-changer for
treating joint damage. With this funding, Han’s team will continue refining
the material and conducting further studies to move the technology closer to
use in human patients.
This work is part of Drexel Engineering’s broader commitment to advancing
medical innovations that improve patient care. If successful,
RibbonGel
could offer new hope for individuals suffering from joint injuries and
conditions like osteoarthritis.