Often times in the case of pediatric growth plate fractures, bone tissue will form within the growth plate, preventing normal growth from occurring. No method currently exists to prevent bone tissue formation, the only current solution being to remove the bony bridge after it has formed. The aim of this project is to develop an ex-vivo, 3D printed bone model that simulates various types of pediatric growth plate fractures and a biocompatible hydrogel that has the capability to seal therapeutic agents into this modeled fracture. The bone model and hydrogel will be utilized in the design of an injection system that can administer the treatment components directly to the injury site. These treatment components, janus-base nanotubes (JBNTs) encapsulating the protein-coding gene MATN3, promote the regeneration of cartilage tissue within the growth plate - preventing bone tissue formation and allowing normal growth to resume upon healing. This injection system offers a minimally invasive alternative for growth plate fracture healing.

Our team collaborated with Biomedical Engineering 3,Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 2 on this project.