Centers

Center for Orthopaedic Research and Translational Science

Explore CORTS

The Center for Orthopaedic Research and Translational Science (CORTS) exists to fill a void nationally between the execution of basic science research that can lead to translation and clinical research that embodies translation.

$Imaging of a fracture callus$

About CORTS

Specifically, the center supports the Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation mission: That CORTS be a vibrant and flexible research and education program in Penn State College of Medicine. CORTS will advance fundamental and translational science so that the treatment of musculoskeletal disease is improved, and new treatments and technology are developed and ultimately translated to clinic.

The center will also provide exciting and fulfilling educational opportunities to trainees.

Reyad Elbarbary, PhD, is the interim vice chair of research in the Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, overseeing the center’s mission and goals.

Research Projects

Photo: Left, fracture callus. Right, Fracture callus single-cell RNA sequence.

Bone regeneration and fracture healing: RNA Biology meets bone biology

Molecular mechanisms: Roles of ncRNAs and RNA processing mechanisms in nonunion and defective healing in diabetic patients and mouse models NIH-funded (R01)

Osteoimmunology (collaboration with Department of Microbiology and Immunology):

CURE
Scored R21, R01; preparing an A1

Cannabinoids as alternative analgesics to NSAIDs in fracture patients:

Collaboration with the Pennsylvania-approved Medical Marijuana Academic Clinical Research Center
Provisional patent
Clinical studies and industry collaboration

Basic Science

Cell Signaling & Drug Discovery/Repurposing

Regulation of GPCR signaling in Osteoarthritis
- Repurposing of paroxetine for Osteoarthritis treatment
- Funded by R01, NIAMS 2019-2023
Engineering of local implants for sustained drug release for osteoarthritis.
- Collaboration with Amir Sheikhi (Penn State Chemical Engineering)
- Funded by Penn State College of Medicine Center for Medical Innovation
Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis (pain and degeneration).
- Collaboration with Penn State College of Medicine’s Medical Marijuana Academic Clinical Research Center
GRCR regulation in skeletal development and rare skeletal diseases
- Collaboration with Maurizio Pacifici (CHOP, Philadelphia)

Clinical Studies

Repurposing paroxetine for Post-traumatic Osteoarthritis treatment
- Collaboration with Robert Gallo (Department of Orthopedics) and Timothy Mosher (Department of Radiology)
Investigating the pathophysiology of Hand Osteoarthritis
- Collaboration with Sharon Banks (Department Rheumatology).
- Orthopedics Department Funds

Bone, Joint and Implant Biomechanics

R01-funded project: Computer simulation development for surgeon training in fracture fixation biomechanics
R25-funded research education program: device design for biomedical engineering undergraduates
Collaboration with surgeons on industry-supported implant biomechanics studies

Photos: Top, patient-specific modeling of two options for femur fracture fixation (with fracture occurring between hip and knee joint replacements). Bottom, mechanical testing of a cadaver with shoulder replacement.

Tendon Remodeling

Degeneration (NSF CAREER, NIH R21)
Repair (DOD)
Development (NSF, NIH R21)

A left side titled Structure-Function and a right side titled Mechanobiology with two curved arrows in the center indicating a cyclical or interactive process between the sections. The structure-function section has multiscale testing with a heat map image, microscopic imaging with an imaging taken from a microscope and modeling with a diagram labeled unit cell depicted with a diagram labeled Unit Cell. The Mechanobiology has three microscopic images titled Mechanical Stimuli, Gene Expression and protein Synthesis.