Research

Disc Degeneration Therapy diagram

A Stage-Based Approach to Intervertebral Disc Regeneration

In early disc degeneration, sufficient viable nucleus pulposus (NP) cells remain, making minimally invasive non–cell-based therapies such as gene transfer or growth factor injection appropriate. In moderate degeneration, loss of functional NP cells limits the effectiveness of these approaches, favoring ex vivo cell-based strategies. In advanced degeneration, when the disc is largely nonfunctional or absent, disc replacement with tissue-engineered or artificial constructs becomes necessary

coin test box

Coin Test for Cervical Myelopathy

Coin Test: A Complementary Examination for Assessing Upper Extremity Function in Cervical Myelopathy

Target Therapy

Target Therapy For Radiculopathy

I am currently developing a targeted therapy for disc herniation. We're using a short peptide that binds to a cell membrane marker expressed by activated macrophages around the herniation site. This peptide is linked to a nanoparticle with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties. The goal is to enable nurses to administer this compound via peripheral vein injection to reduce inflammation around the disc herniation site.

Diagram of Powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxygen stress effects of nanoparticle Fullerene

Nanoparticle Therapy

Fullerene C60 nanoparticles are a promising new therapy that help reduce inflammation and protect tissues from damage. Our research shows they can calm irritated spinal nerves and slow disc degeneration after injury, with the goal of preserving spine health and reducing pain.

Federal Grants

  1. 2025 – 2030 NIH R01 “Targeting stage specific influxed monocytes to treat acute and chronic back pain”
  2. 2024 – 2026 NIH R21 “A soft electronics-enabled smart microneedle patch for neck pain management”
  3. 2023 – 2025 NIH R21 “Macrophage Anchoring Nanomedicine to Replace Steroids for Intra-articular Injection”
  4. 2022 – 2027 NIH, R01 “Deciphering Macrophage Function in Disc Herniation”
  5. 2021 – 2023 NIH R21 “An ex vivo system to model the inflammatory microenvironment of human disc herniation”
  6. 2018 – 2021 NIH R21 “Disc-on-chip: microfluidic nutrition and biomechanical loading integrated mouse disc culture system”
  7. 2013 – 2020 NIH R01 “Systemic application for injury site specific delivery via neutrophils to treat acute back pain”
  8. 2011 – 2015 NIH R21 “Treatment of disc degeneration by nano-fullerenes”
  9. 2006 – 2010 NIH R03 “GDF-5 Regulation in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration”

Non-Govermental Grants(AS A P.I. or co-p.i.)

  1. 2025 – 2027 CHRB Co-P.I. (Li/Xu/Jin)
  2. 2022 – 2024 Coulter Foundation Co-P.I. (Li/Xu/Jin)
  3. 2021 – 2022 NASS Research grant Co-P.I. (Li Xiao, P.I.)
  4. 2021 – 2022 4-VA Collaborative Grant, Co-P.I (Li Jin, P.I.)
  5. 2020 – 2021 Engineering in Medicine, P.I.
  6. 2019 – 2020 Alternatives Research & Development Foundation (ARDF), Co-P.I. (Li Jin, P.I.)
  7. 2018 – 2019 3 Cavaliers, P.I.
  8. 2018 – 2019 Center for Advanced Biomanufacturing Seed Fund, co-P.I. (Li Jin, P.I.)
  9. 2018 – 2019 Engineering in Medicine Grant, P.I.
  10. 2018 – 2020 Commonwealth Health Research Board, Virginia, Co-PI. (Li Jin, P.I.)
  11. 2015 – 2016 Orthopaedic Trauma Association Resident Grant, P.I.
  12. 2013 – 2015 North American Spine Society Research Grant, P.I.
  13. 2011 – 2012 Orthopaedic Trauma Association Resident Grant, P.I.
  14. 2011 – 2012 Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation Grant, Co-P.I.
  15. 2011 – 2012 North American Spine Society Research Grant, P.I.
  16. 2008 – 2012 AO Foundation Focus Grant, P.I.
  17. 2008 – 2010 AO Foundation Start-up Grant, P.I.
  18. 2008 – 2010 Scoliosis Research Society Research Grant, P.I.
  19. 2007 – 2008 Cervical Spine Research Society Seed Grant, P.I.
  20. 2007 – 2008 Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation Grant, P.I.
  21. 2007 – 2008 National Osteoporosis Foundation, Co-P.I. (Francis H. Shen, P.I.)
  22. 2005 – 2007 Research and Development Grant, University of Virginia, P.I.
  23. 2005 – 2007 Funding Excellence in Science and Technology (FEST), P.I.
  24. 2005 – 2007 AO International Research Grant, P.I.
  25. 2004 – 2007 Arthritis Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship, P.I.
  26. 2005-2007 North American Spine Society Research Grant, P.I.
  27. 2005-2006 DePuy Company Research Grant, P.I.
  28. 2004-2006 Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation Grant, P.I.