Welcome to the Giers Lab!

Our research focuses include: predicting treatment outcomes for intervertebral disc (IVD) regenerative and surgical therapies; studying potential molecular and biomechanical targets for IVD regeneration in the context of the nutrient deprived human IVD. Utilizing MRI, image processing, mathematical modeling, tissue engineering, drug delivery, and surgery to study transport phenomena in vivo. 

Our research aims to find new methods for treating degeneritive disc disease. Disc degeneration is associated with most chronic lower back pain in adults.The degradation of nutrient pathways results in a lack of glucose reaching the IVD cells, which ultimately results in dead and dying cells. As the cells die the disc degenerates, leading to structural failure such as disc herniation. 80% of the world's population has experienced lower back pain at some point in their life. This condition can lead to profound disability and it is our passion to keep people mobile and independent.