Winter 07: New Voices at BME

Rensselaer’s junior biotech faculty tackle everything from back pain to biophotonics


Eric Ledet
Eric Ledet: Rx for the Aching Back

Eric Ledet: Rx for the Aching Back

Millions of Americans suffer from low back pain—and no one truly understands why. Eric Ledet aims to change that.

The inspiration for Ledet’s research came from his work with spine surgeons at Albany Medical College. “The surgeons were desperate for more effective treatment options and a better understanding of the disease process,” he explained. “That’s because research into low back pain and other common spinal disorders is still in its infancy.”

To advance the state of the research, Ledet seeks to identify the mechanisms by which everyday living takes its toll on spinal tissue. His current theory focuses on a novel and largely unexplored area: degeneration of the intervertebral disc through a mechanism similar to osteoarthritis. To test the theory, Ledet’s team is at work developing new tools, including implantable microsensors, to use on experimental models.

The goal is music to the ears of anyone with a “bad back.” “Once we understand the mechanism of spinal degeneration better, we can begin to develop novel diagnostic tools and therapies,” Ledet said. “Ultimately, my hope is to develop protective or preventive measures to minimize the incidence of low back pain. There is enough here to keep me busy throughout my career.”

A sagittal CT section through a lumbar motion segment The intervertebral disc is the largest avascular structure in the body. Microsensors incorporated into spinal implants will provide valuable insights into what activities cause detrimental loads to be imposed on the spine.

Figure 1: The spine is complex with multiple structures and tissues contributing to its overall state of health or disease.  A sagittal µCT section through a lumbar motion segment is shown.

 Figure 2:  The intervertebral disc is the largest avascular structure in the body. Almost all nutrients enter the disc via diffusion through the adjacent bone and cartilage. Due to repeated loading, the calcified cartilage adjacent to the disc becomes thicker, making it more difficult for the nutrients to get through.  Ultimately, the disc degenerates.

Figure 3: The magnitude of forces that are imposed on spine during everyday activities has never been measured.  Microsensors incorporated into spinal implants will provide valuable insights into what activities cause detrimental loads to be imposed on the spine.