Description of Research Expertise

The focus of my research program is the pathophysiology and treatment of degenerative and developmental disorders affecting the spine and synovial joints. The scope of our research includes basic mechanistic studies, translational studies in animal models, and clinical studies in human patients. We use cutting edge techniques in molecular biology, biochemistry and bioengineering, coupled with novel in vitro model systems to study disease mechanisms. Our research in the translational space bridges the fields of tissue engineering, biomaterials, drug delivery and stem cells, and is focused on arresting disease progression, restoring spine and joint function and potentiating long term tissue regeneration. We use novel, naturally occurring and inducible large and small animal models to study disease etiology and evaluate therapeutics. Our multidisciplinary team includes biologists, bioengineers, clinicians and veterinarians.

Selected Publications

Rajagopal K, Swingle KL, Iyer K, Jiang Z, Smith E, Molony CM, Dodge GR, Volk SW, Casal ML, Mitchell MJ, Smith LJ: In vitro development and in vivo evaluation of intra-articular GUSB mRNA therapy for mucopolysaccharidosis VII WORLD Symposium on Lysosomal Diseases : 2025.

Smith LJ, Campbell R, Smith E, Lutz E, Molony CM, Casal ML: Postnatal Progression of Skeletal Disease in Mucopolysaccharidosis VI Dogs: Preliminary Findings WORLD Symposium on Lysosomal Diseases : 2025.

Maparu AK, Iyer K, Rajagopal R, Siddiqui Z, Campbell R, Molony CM, Volk SW, Mauck RL, Casal ML, Mitchell MJ, Smith LJ: Porous microcarriers for sustained delivery of mRNA-lipid nanoparticles to treat joint disease in the mucopolysaccharidoses WORLD Symposium on Lysosomal Diseases : 2025.

Rajagopal K, Schaer TP, Zhang C, Meadows KD, Hilliard R, O'Donnell JC, Dodge GR, Petrov D, Elliott DM, Mauck RL, Smith LJ*, Malhotra NR*., *Co-corresponding authors.: In Vivo Measurements Reveal Increased Nucleus Pulposus Lactate and Oxygen Concentrations in a Goat Model of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration JOR Spine : 2025.

Chakraborty LS, Le Maitre CL, Chahine NO, Fields AJ, Gawri R, Giers MB, Smith LJ, Tang SY, Zehra U, Haglund L, Samartzis D, Martin JT: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Productivity and Career Prospects of Musculoskeletal Researchers Journal of Orthopaedic Research 42 (10): 2296-2306,2024.

Lau YK, Iyer K, Friday C, Shetye S, Hast ME, Dodge GR, Casal ML, Gawri R, Smith LJ: Evaluation of Tendon and Ligament Microstructure and Mechanical Properties in a Canine Model of Mucopolysaccharidosis I Journal of Orthopaedic Research 47 (7): 1409-1419,2024.

Arginteanu T, Gallagher RS, Borja AJ, Glauser G, Smith LJ, Pasha S, DeTurck D, Malhotra NR: Quantifying a novel three-dimensional marker of scoliosis Spine Deformity 12 (1): 231-237,2024.

Zhang C, Zhong L, Lau YK, Wu M, Yao L, Schaer TP, Mauck RL, Malhotra NR, Qin L, Smith LJ: Single Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals Emergent Notochord-Derived Cell Subpopulations in the Postnatal Nucleus Pulposus FASEB Journal 38 (1): e23363,2024.

Smith LJ, Rajagopal K, Laslow B, Wang D, Schipani E: In Vivo Regulation of Nucleus Pulposus Cell Differentiation and Extracellular Matrix Elaboration by HIF Prolyl Hydroxylases 70th Annual Meeting, Orthopaedic Research Society, Long Beach, USA : 2024.

Maparu AK, Iyer K, Siddiqui Z, Rajagopal K, Kim J, Mauck RL, Mitchell MJ, Smith LJ: A Novel Porous Microcarrier for Extended Release of mRNA-Lipid Nanoparticles for Musculoskeletal Tissue Repair 70th Annual Meeting, Orthopaedic Research Society, Long Beach, USA : 2024.

Academic Contact Information

McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory
378A Stemmler Hall
3450 Hamilton Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: 215-746-2169