# Diversity Supplement for: Mechanisms for Regenerative Healing in Intervertebral Discs

> **NIH NIH R01** · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · 2022 · $31,321

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Back pain is a leading cause of global disability impacting >100 million US adults. Poor IVD healing results in
structural IVD defects that accumulate to result in herniation, degeneration, and anatomical disruptions that
cause disability and pain. A critical unmet need is to develop annulus fibrosus (AF) repair strategies since no
treatments exist and discectomy, the gold standard treatment for nucleus pulposus (NP) herniation, leaves AF
defects unrepaired with complications including reherniation and recurrent pain. The parent grant focuses on
understanding fundamental cellular and mechanobiological factors that enable regenerative healing in neonatal
IVDs. The Diversity Supplement expands the scope of the parent grant in 2 highly significant ways. First, the
Diversity Supplement is translational focusing on developing an optimized 3D biomaterial carrier to deliver cells
that can promote adult IVD healing. Second, the career development activities of Ms. Sabrina Delva are
considered highly significant. By focusing the Aims of the Diversity Supplement on AF repair, this project
allows Ms. Delva to join the team of scientists involved in the parent grant enabling her to rapidly learn new
methods, gain confidence and advance her career with training activities. Aim 1 is to determine the effect of
biomaterial stiffness on IVD deformations and herniation risk. Our first biomaterial which is a newly developed
two-part repair strategy comprising a dual-modified (MethAcrylated and oxidized) Hyaluronic Acid (HAMA) and
injectable interpenetrating network hydrogel composed of fibronectin-conjugated fibrin and poly (ethylene
glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA), or HAMA-PEGDA. This material was selected since the HAMA chemically adsorbs
the PEGDA to integrate with the native AF tissue by covalently bonding to collagen. Our second biomaterial
adhesive is a newly developed Methacrylated and oxidized carboxymethylcellulose (MoCMC) which was
selected to be a thermogeling adhesive with hydrolytic stability and cytocompatibility. Aim 2 then adds
complexity by determining which biomaterial sealant strategy most effectively retains biomechanical and
biological function of large animal IVDs in organ culture injury models with biomechanical and biological
assessments. Aim 3 is to engineer mechanically optimized cell delivery biomaterials by modulating type and
concentration of cell adhesion molecules and macromer concentrations. The research and mentoring plans
are designed to provide Ms. Sabrina Delva with a rigorous, inspiring, and well-mentored PhD program. Key
elements are to provide Ms. Delva with substantial scientific training, extensive mentoring, coursework, and
professional development & networking. We expect Ms. Delva to present at least annually at annual meetings,
and to establish many collaborations across Mount Sinai and the City College of New York.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10631488
- **Project number:** 3R01AR080096-01S1
- **Recipient organization:** ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
- **Principal Investigator:** James C. Iatridis
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $31,321
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2026-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10631488

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10631488, Diversity Supplement for: Mechanisms for Regenerative Healing in Intervertebral Discs (3R01AR080096-01S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10631488. Licensed CC0.

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