Neurospine Institute’s Research Assistant, Ms Alana Celenza, has been awarded the AO Spine National Research Grant. This grant is an $8,500 grant aimed to provide start-up funding for new spinal research projects for early and mid-career investigators. Ms Celenza is early in her research career having completed her Bachelor of Science in Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology with First Class honours and received the Vice Chancellor’s Award.
The project to be undertaken with this successful application is “Investigation into the use of T2*Weighted Imaging for identifying potential tissue variations in lumbar herniated discs, as classified in the Michigan State University (MSU) Classification system”.
The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technique using T2*(star) Weighted Imaging (WI) to detect differences in the molecular composition of herniated disc tissue. These differences will be assessed in reference to the type of herniated disc, as classified in the Michigan State University Classification System. Successful application of T2*WI to in this way, may provide a non-invasive means of predicting molecular or inflammatory activity in herniated disc tissue.
Neurospine Foundation Research Scientist Dr Jessica Gaff stated, “we are extremely proud to see Ms Celenza succeed in her grant application and advance her career in research at the Neurospine Foundation. We are looking forward to seeing the development and completion of this novel project.”
