Rotator cuff tendon tears are common musculoskeletal injuries that affect over 50% of the population. While the etiology of these injuries is largely unknown, they have been thought to result from multiple factors including repetitive loads and impingement by the coracoacromial arch. In contrast to failure rates of less than 5% in other tendons, a failure rate of over 40% of supraspinatus tendon surgical repairs in the rotator cuff suggests an environmental contribution specific to the RC.
In the Andarawis-Puri lab, we have developed a mouse model of supraspinatus tendon detachment and surgical repair to investigate and perturb mechanisms by which macroscopic loading modulates the cells during healing. The next step in this project is to design a device for repeatable and controlled loading of the mouse rotator cuff to allow imaging of the tendon using multiphoton with second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging. The device should allow the tendon to be imaged in a loaded and unloaded configuration. In addition, the students will develop and validate image analysis techniques to accurately calculate cell and tissue strain from the acquired tendon images.
This project is well suited for 1-2 students with background in mechanical design and fabrication. Experience with image processing and programming is highly valued. Students will learn fine dissections, microscopy, and image analysis.
Interested students should forward a copy of their resume to:
Professor Nelly Andarawis-Puri
na424@cornell.edu
220 Upson Hall