# Role of periostin expressing cells in intramembranous bone regeneration

> **NIH NIH K01** · RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2023 · $119,529

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract: The proposal includes a comprehensive 5-year mentored career development
plan for Dr. Frank Ko to transition to an independent investigator who studies intramembranous bone
regeneration. The candidate is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Cell & Molecular Medicine
(CMM) at Rush University Medical Center (RUMC) and conducts his research at RUMC and at its affiliated
centers and institutions. He is well supported by the institution and will devote 100% of his time to his research
and career development plan. The candidate has assembled mentors and a scientific advisory committee with
a wide array of complementary expertise and extensive mentoring experience to offer career guidance during
his transition to independent research and train him in new intellectual and technical skills for his proposed
studies. His mentor, Dr. Rick Sumner, is an expert in the field of bone regeneration and implant fixation, the
Chair of CMM at RUMC, and the director of Rush MicroCT/Histology Core Facility. His co-mentor, Dr. Anna
Spagnoli, is a clinician-scientist with an expertise in the field of skeletal development and diseases and is the
director of Section of Molecular Medicine in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at RUMC. Scientific
advisory committee member Dr. Noriaki Ono is a molecular biologist studying skeletal stem and progenitor
cells. The science focuses on the role of periostin-expressing cells in intramembranous bone regeneration
following marrow ablation surgery. The candidate discovered that these cells, which are normally absent in
marrow and reside in the periosteum, are present in the regenerating marrow cavity following the surgery and
their depletion delays intramembranous bone regeneration. Thus, the specific aims are to investigate: 1) the
necessity of periostin-expressing cells and periostin in intramembranous bone regeneration; and 2) the lineage
commitment, molecular signatures, and differentiation of periostin-expressing cells and their progeny during
intramembranous bone regeneration. To complement his prior training in bone biomechanics and molecular
biology in intact tissues, the candidate will be trained in the use of reporter mice, animal surgery, and
regenerated bone phenotyping, including light sheet and expansion microscopy, gene and protein expression
analyses, and in vitro culture and assay. Further, he will participate in career development activities that
include didactic lectures and seminar series focusing on tissue regeneration, stem cell biology, biostatistics,
grant writing, responsible conduct of research, and scientific presentation. This K01 proposal will allow the
candidate to gain valuable career development mentoring to achieve his goal of becoming an independent
investigator studying intramembranous bone regeneration.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10646451
- **Project number:** 5K01AR077679-03
- **Recipient organization:** RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Frank Ko
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $119,529
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-07-01 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10646451

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10646451, Role of periostin expressing cells in intramembranous bone regeneration (5K01AR077679-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10646451. Licensed CC0.

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