Rita Kandel
Profile: Associate Member, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute
Department: Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, University of Toronto
Research Interests:
Our lab is interested in developing novel biological approaches for the repair of articular joint or intervertebral disc. This entails developing methods to form and deliver tissue to either repair or replace cartilage or disc damaged by disease or trauma. Critical to the success of these treatments is identification of cell sources that generates sufficient amounts of tissue. We are exploring ways to stimulate differentiation of hESC and mesenchymal progenitor cells to the cell(s) of interest which can then be used to form functional tissue. These tissues are being tested in animal models. We are also using these tissues to study the mechanisms regulating tissue formation. These investigations will facilitate our goal of developing biological joint replacements.