Grant: Project Grant

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a leading cause of lower back pain, affecting nearly half of Canadians and costing the healthcare system billions of dollars each year. This condition occurs when the discs between the bones of the spine start to break down, leading to pain, reduced mobility, and other complications. Current treatments often involve surgery to remove damaged disc material, but these procedures can struggle to fully restore the disc's function because the materials used for repair can be toxic and don't integrate well with the body, leading to poor long-term results. Our project aims to develop a new type of adhesive, called "NP glue," to repair and regenerate damaged discs. This special adhesive is designed to stick to the surrounding tissues in the spine and help guide the body's own stem cells to rebuild the damaged disc. Unlike existing materials, NP glue is safe and encourages natural healing. It contains a peptide that mimics collagen, a key protein in the body, helping the adhesive bond with the damaged area and creating a supportive environment for tissue repair. We will test NP glue in models that closely mimic the conditions in the human spine, ensuring it can withstand the physical stresses and help restore the disc's function. If successful, this new adhesive could lead to better outcomes for patients, reducing the need for repeat surgeries, lowering complications, and improving quality of life. Ultimately, this innovation could transform the way we treat disc degeneration and reduce the economic burden on the healthcare system.