# Vascularization in bone tissue engineering constructs

> **NIH NIH R01** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $345,270

## Abstract

Abstract
Treatment of segmental large bone defects remains a significant clinical problem. Pre-
vascularized large bone grafts capable of rapidly anastomosing with host vessel bed and
integrating with native bone tissue would significantly advance currently available treatments.
Addressing these issues is expected to overcome one of the stumbling blocks of tissue
engineering and revolutionize the treatment of large bone defects. In this project, we propose to
engineer a novel pre-vascularized bone graft substitute to repair large bone defects. The novel
bone graft is comprised of a channeled, biodegradable calcium phosphate-polymer composite
scaffold containing a cell-laden hydrogel (as a bone surrogate) and a flexible, suturable,
antithrombotic, permeable polymer-based tissue engineered vessel graft (TEVG, as a blood
vessel surrogate). The TEVG will be incorporated into the scaffold in a spatially controlled
fashion. Our hypothesis is that the TEVG will facilitate and promote microvascularization across
the scaffold, while allowing for surgical anastomosis to enable instant integration between the
engineered bone graft and host tissue to repair large bone defects. To test our hypothesis, our
team comprised of experts in biomaterials, bone tissue engineering, neovascularization, micro-
surgery and orthopedic surgery, proposes the following aims:!Aim 1 is to develop a TEVG that
facilitates host vascular integration. Aim 2 is to design and develop an instantly integrated, pre-
vascularized bone graft substitute. Aim 3 is to determine the efficiency of a vascularized bone
tissue construct prototype to enhance integration with host bone tissue, accelerate bone
regeneration and restore functionality. The accomplishment of this project will revolutionize
vascularized synthetic bone graft design, and pave the way for improved clinical treatments for
large segmental bone defects.
!

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9864014
- **Project number:** 5R01AR074458-02
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** YUNZHI YANG
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $345,270
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-02-06 → 2024-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9864014

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9864014, Vascularization in bone tissue engineering constructs (5R01AR074458-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9864014. Licensed CC0.

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