Anna-Laura Nelson

Dedicated scientist with proven track record in cutting-edge research and academic contributions. Adept at driving impactful projects and fostering collaborative environment. Focused on innovative solutions and adaptable to evolving research needs, ensuring reliable and high-quality outcomes.

• Bahney CS, Millett PJ, Bernholt D, Nelson AL, Decellularized tendon matrix methods and uses thereof., US 17/415,501, 02/17/22, Steadman Clinic, Steadman Philippon Research Institute
• Bahney C, Marcucio R, Fontana G, Murphy WL, Cooke JP, Kiss DL, Taraballi F, Ehrhart N, Nelson AL, MCM FOR GENE THERAPY TO ACTIVATE WNT PATHWAY., US 17/683,699, 09/01/22, Steadman Philippon Research Institute

RNA-based therapeutics: Under the guidance of Dr. Chelsea Bahney, PhD and Dr. Nicole  Ehrhart, DVM, I developed a project for my PhD which entailed developing a localized gene  delivery platform specific for fracture healing applications. Here, I tested various platforms  including mineral coated microparticles as a carrier for liposomes and lipid nanoparticles. Next, I  focused my efforts in generating and validating a therapeutic mRNA transcript encoding canonical  Wnt transcription factor, β-catenin, a key regulator of bone formation. All work below specifically  highlight my efforts in development and validation of RNA therapeutics for orthopaedic  applications. 

Manuscripts:

• Nelson, A. L., Chiara Mancino, Xueqin Gao, Joshua A. Choe, Laura Chubb, Katherine Williams, Ralph Marcucio, Francesca Taraballi, John P. Cooke, Johnny Huard, Chelsea Bahney, Nicole Ehrhart. (2024) β-catenin mRNA encapsulated in SM-102 lipid nanoparticles enhances bone formation in a murine tibia fracture repair model. Bioact Mater. 2024 May 23;39:273-286
• Nelson A.L., Fontana G, Chubb L, Choe J, Williams K, Regan D, Huard J, Murphy W, Ehrhart N and Bahney C (2024) Mineral coated microparticles doped with fluoride and complexed with mRNA prolong transfection in fracture healing. Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol. 11:1295313.

Presentations: 

• Nelson, A., Mancino, C., Fontana, G., Huard, J., Murphy, W., Taraballi, F., Ehrhart, N., Bahney, C. (2022, September). Engineered platform for localized mRNA delivery in fracture repair. Podium presentation presented at the biennial meeting of International Section of Fracture Repair in Edinburgh, Scotland.
• Nelson, A., Mancino, C., Choe, J., Huard, J., Murphy, W., Taraballi, F., Ehrhart, N., Bahney, C. (2023, June). Optimization of lipid nanoparticles for localized mRNA delivery in fracture repair. Podium presentation presented at the Summer Biomechanics, Bioengineering & Biotransport Conference in Vail, CO.
• Nelson, A., Mancino, C., Choe, J., Huard, J., Taraballi, F., Ehrhart, N., Bahney, C. (2023, December). β-Catenin mRNA Lipoplexes Promote Bone Healing in Murine Tibia Fractures. Podium presentation presented at the Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons Conference in Vail, CO.

Senescence and Senotherapeutics: Cellular senescence, or an intracellular age-related decline  of cells, continues to be a growing field and has been found to occur through a mulititude of mechanisms targeting proliferation and differentiation capacity. Ultimately, senescence alters the physiological  function of cells and contributes to age-related diseases such as osteoarthritis. Senotherapeutics  and senolytics target senescent cell populations and have shown to prevent and improve chronic,  age-related diseases. As majority of the work in my  PhD was conducted at SPRI, I collaborated with several members on  understanding the impact of various cell types and disease states following treatment with multiple senotherapeutics. The following work displays my collaborative contributions on projects related  to this topic. 

Manuscripts:

• Mullen, M., Nelson, A. L., Goff, A., Billings, J., Kloser, H., Huard, C., ... & Huard, J. (2023). Fisetin attenuates cellular senescence accumulation during culture expansion of human adipose-derived stem cells. Stem Cells, 41(7), 698-710.
• Yamaura, K., Nelson, A. L., Nishimura, H., Rutledge, J. C., Ravuri, S. K., Bahney, C., ... & Huard, J. (2022). The effects of fisetin on bone and cartilage: A systematic review. Pharmacological Research, 185, 106504.
• Hambright WS, Mu X, Gao X, Guo P, Kawakami Y, Mitchell J, Mullen M, Nelson A.L., Bahney C, Nishimura H, Hellwinkel J. (2023). The senolytic drug fisetin attenuates bone degeneration in the Zmpste24−/− progeria mouse model. Journal of Osteoporosis, 2023(1), 5572754.

Nanotechnology: Throughout my Masters program in Bioengineering, I focused on developing  a therapeutic and diagnostic platform using nanotechnology. Building on using mesoporous silica  nanoparticles (MSN) as a clinical tool for drug delivery, my efforts were focused towards exploring whether MSN could serve as a diagnostic tool, and specifically as an ultrasound contrast agent.  Expanding on this skillset, I have since worked on advancing nanotechnology specifically for  nucleic acid delivery. The work I have listed below reveal my contributions from my earlier Masters career while my newer published papers within this field have already been listed within section  entitled RNA-based therapeutics.  

Manuscripts:

• Laughter, M. R., Nelson, A. L., Bortot, M., Pena, B., Liu, B., & Park, D. (2021). Multifunctional Fluorocarbon-conjugated Nanoparticles of Varied Morphologies to Enhance Diagnostic Effects in Breast Cancer. Nano Biomed. Eng, 13(1), 52-61.

Presentations: 

• Nelson, A., Intrator, M., Park, D. (2015, April). Multifunctional mesoporous silica nanoparticles fluorocarbon conjugated with theranostic effects for HER2+ breast cancer. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Biomaterials, Charlotte, NC.