This Research Initiation award will support a study of the transport properties of cartilage using fluorescent tracers. Macroscopic transport quantities will be measured and related to theoretical models that encompass the molecular components and structures of cartilage. This research is important since it will demonstrate the use of a new method to make non-destructive measurements on live tissues. The study also will contribute to the understanding of normal and abnormal transport processes and how this may be involved in maintaining normal tissue function and developing synthetic cartilage substitutes.
