Project Background
I joined the Kyle Allen OrthoBME lab at the University of Florida in February of 2025. Dr. Allen is a professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, and his research aims to advance preclinical models of osteoarthritis and the diagnostic and treatment methods for joint diseases (1).
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In collaboration with other universities, scientists at the University of Florida, led by Dr. Allen, are conducting research for the REJOIN project. The RE-JOIN project aims to determine how the neurons responsible for chronic pain supply joint tissues. The primary method used to explore this concept involves the analysis and comparison of data on pathology-pain relationships in TMJ (temporomandibular joint) and knee osteoarthritis models in preclinical rats and human subjects. By capturing the structural anatomy of damaged tissues, scientists can visualize innervation within the joints, which varies between areas of the body.
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(1)Kyle D. Allen, Ph.D. – J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering. (2018). Ufl.edu. https://bme.ufl.edu/dept-member/allen_kyle/(2)Research. (2023). Ortho BME @ UF. https://www.orthobme.com/research.html (3). Heppelmann, B. (1997). Anatomy and histology of joint innervation. Journal of the Peripheral Nervous System : JPNS, 2(1), 5–16. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10975732/
Visual depiction of joint innervation
Knee Innervation | PKVisualization | Anatomy. (2020). PKV. https://www.pkvisualization.com/knee-innervation
Research Focus
PROJECT: Histological Analysis of Osteoarthritis in Total Knee Replacement Patients ​
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The purpose of this project is to identify and analyze the structural differences and innervation of osteoarthritic tissues using immunohistochemistry. This process includes sectioning, staining, and imaging, producing a finished representation of the sample that allows researchers to effectively identify anatomical differences in the damaged tissues. Connecting structural abnormalities to symptoms such as pain can motivate adaptations in treatment methods. (Ongoing project)
Responsibilities
My responsibilities include sectioning tissue samples, with a microtome or cryostat, at a thickness that optimizes structure visualization and staining results. My work will expand to include the immunostaining and imaging processes in September of 2025, allowing for the complete analysis of collected tissues.
Principal Investigator: Kyle Allen
Graduate Mentors: Ashleigh Abbott & Robert Dalton
University of Florida Department of Biomedical Engineering
Image of cryostat set up
(1) Harkin, D. (2021). Preparation of frozen tissue sections (Cryotomy). In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnCLhowHucU