Biomimetic Aggrecan

We are currently working to develop a minimally invasive early interventional technique for the treatment and prevention of back pain originating from intervertebral disc degeneration.  To achieve this we are designing a biomimetic analogue to the ubiquitous biomacromolecule, aggrecan.  Aggrecan and other similar proteoglycans comprise 50% wet weight of the inner region (nucleus pulposus) of the intervertebral disc, Aggrecan works to resist mechanical force in the nucleus pulposus and provide a hydrostatic tension to the outer region of the intervertebral disc via molecular interactions, however there is a loss of this biomacromolecule with aging and degeneration.