MTF Biologics Awards $1.8 Million in 2019 Extramural Research Grants

MTF Biologics, a global nonprofit organization that saves and heals lives by advancing tissue and organ donation, transplantation, and research, has awarded over $1.8 million in funding to 12 researchers across the nation through its 2019 Extramural Research Grants Program.

"For more than 30 years, our grants program has funded groundbreaking research. It's an honor to give back in this way to positively affect lives across the globe," said Joe Yaccarino, President and CEO of MTF Biologics. "We congratulate all of this year's recipients and look forward to the results of their important work."

Since 1987, MTF Biologics has provided over $55 million in grants to advance allograft transplantation science and biological reconstruction. To date, more than 200 principal investigators at over 80 institutions have received funding. Top funded institutions include University of California - Los Angeles, University of Rochester, Case Western Reserve University, University of Virginia, and Columbia University.

"Through our continued support of translational and clinical research, we hope to accelerate innovation that will lead to increased options for clinicians, thus improving patient experience and outcomes," said Marc Long, Ph.D., VP, Research & Development of MTF Biologics.

Beginning with the 2020 grant cycle, MTF Biologics will award the Dr. Hans Burchardt Research Award to the grant with the greatest potential impact on allograft science.

"Dr. Burchardt led the MTF Biologics grant program for over two decades. He was deeply committed to advancing allograft science," said Jeffrey Cartmell, Ph.D., Director, Intellectual Property & Grants at MTF Biologics. "We are delighted to honor Dr. Burchardt's legacy of scientific achievements in Bone Graft Immunology, Musculoskeletal Transplantation, & Biologic Reconstruction and to recognize his long-time leadership of the MTF Biologics grant program by naming this grant in his honor."

The recipients selected for 2019 Research Grants are:

MTF BIOLOGICS EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH GRANT ? ESTABLISHED INVESTIGATOR:

• Erin Hsu, Ph.D., Northwestern University, "BMP-2 Binding Nanofiber-Demineralized Bone Matrix Composite Scaffold as a Bone Graft Substitute for Spinal Fusion"
• Paul Kuzyk, M.D., Sinai Health System, "Predicting Osteochondral Integration of MOPS-stored Allografts Using Cartilage Electromechanical Properties in a Pre-Clinical Ovine Model"
• Hai Yao, Ph.D., Clemson University, "Integrating Ice-Free Vitrification and Nanowarming for Banking Meniscus Allograft"
• Chia-Ying, Ph.D., University of Cincinnati, "Novel Process for 3D Printing and Decellularized Extracellular Matrix for Tissue Regeneration"

MTF BIOLOGICS EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH GRANT ? JUNIOR INVESTIGATOR:

• Murat Guvendiren, Ph.D., New Jersey Institute Technology, "Bioprinting Scaffolds from Novel Allograft-Derived Bioinks to Advance Reconstruction of Osteochondral Interface"
• Min Young Ju, Ph.D., Wake Forest University, "Development Decellularized ECM-based 3D Bioprinted Muscle Constructs with Dual Growth Factors Delivery for Repairing Volumetric Muscle Loss (VML) injury"
• Hyun Ji Kim, Ph.D., Wake Forest University, "Bioengineered Skeletal Muscle Construct Using an Allogeneic Scaffolding System for Pelvic Muscle Reconstruction"

PLASTIC SURGERY FOUNDATION / MTF BIOLOGICS ALLOGRAFT RESEARCH GRANT: (Administered by the Plastic Surgery Foundation)

• Arun Gosain, M.D., Northwestern University, "The Effect of Acellular Dermal Matrix and Radiation on Tissue Expansion"
• Alex Wong, M.D., University of Southern California, "Effect of Decelluarized Adipose Tissue Matrix on Irradiated Skin Pathology"

ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH & EDUCATION FOUNDATION ? MTF BIOLOGICS GRANT: (Administered by the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation)

• Chathuraka Jayasuriya, Ph.D., Rhode Island Hospital, "Implementing Allogeneic Stem Cells from Cartilage Graft in Meniscus Repair"

ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH & EDUCATION FOUNDATION - HERNDON RESIDENCY AWARD: (Administered by the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation)

• Connor Delman, M.D., University California ? Davis, "Analysis of Tibial Contact in Kinematically Aligned TKA in Three Implants"
• Ryan Rauck, M.D., Hospital for Special Surgery, "The Role of the Long Head of the Biceps Tendon in Shoulder Stabilization"

Applications are now being accepted for the 2020 MTF Biologics Extramural Grant Program. The application deadline is March 1, 2020. Interested applicants can view the Request for Proposals, the MTF Biologics Grant Policies, and find out how to apply for the grant on the MTF Biologics website at https://www.mtfbiologics.org/grants.

About MTF Biologics

MTF Biologics is a global nonprofit organization that saves and heals lives by advancing tissue and organ donation, transplantation, and research. We provide unmatched service, resources, and expertise to donors and their loved ones who give the gift of life, people who depend on tissue and organ transplants, healthcare providers, and clinicians and scientists. Our subsidiary, The International Institute for the Advancement of Medicine (IIAM), honors donors of non-transplantable organs by providing their gifts to the medical research community to combat and cure diseases. Our subsidiary, Statline, provides specialized communications and technology expertise to organ, tissue, and eye procurement organizations, as well as the hospitals and patients that they serve. Our sister organization, The German Institute for Cell and Tissue Transplantation (Deutsches Institute for Zell-und Gewebeersatz ? DIZG) expands our reach to patients across the globe. For more information, visit www.mtfbiologics.org.