Contact: Bob Ratliff
A 2001 Whitaker Foundation grant is aiding a Mississippi State University scientist's investigation of new strategies for treating arthritis and other cartilage tissue problems.
Biological engineer Steven Elder is receiving almost $210,000 from the Virginia-based organization for research into how mechanical stress affects the development of cartilage cells.
Whitaker is a private, nonprofit foundation dedicated to improving human health through the support of biomedical engineering. Each year, the organization funds approximately 80 national research projects following an extensive review process.
Cartilage tissue engineering is an important area of medical research because damaged cartilage does not heal well, said Jerry Gilbert, MSU's agricultural and biological engineering department head.
"The cartilage in hips and other joints degenerates because of injuries, diseases such as arthritis or just plain wear-and-tear," Gilbert said. "Dr. Elder's research will help in the search for cartilage replacements by providing a better understanding of how walking and other forms of mechanical stress influence the formation of cartilage."
The Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station also helps support Elder's research.
He is the second MSU biological engineer to receive Whitaker funding. Joel Bumgardner received the award in 1999 for his work with medical and dental implant materials.