# Mechanogenetic regulation of engineered tissues

> **NIH NIH R21** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $207,739

## Abstract

Abstract
The overall goals of this project are to combine novel concepts in synthetic biology with an in-depth
understanding of chondrocyte mechanobiology to develop tissue-engineered constructs that contain synthetic
mechanogenetic gene circuits. The primary aim of this project will be to generate “smart” tissue-engineered
cartilage constructs that feature cell-based, feedback control of gene expression as a means of autoregulated
drug or growth factor delivery, based on the mechanical loading environment. To engineer this regulatory
system, the gene regulation circuitry of chondrocytes will be rewired to form controlled feedback loops that are
activated by external mechanical stimuli to induce a self-regulating anti-inflammatory response. The initial
focus of the project will be on the creation of designer cells that contain artificial gene circuits that provide anti-
cytokine drug delivery in response to differing levels of mechanical loading. The creation of artificial
mechanogenetic gene circuits in cells will provide a novel means of self-regulating drug therapy as a
transformative paradigm for regenerative medicine.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9877819
- **Project number:** 1R21AR076665-01
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Farshid Guilak
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $207,739
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-02-01 → 2022-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9877819

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9877819, Mechanogenetic regulation of engineered tissues (1R21AR076665-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9877819. Licensed CC0.

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