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Studies of Tendon Health in Women

Award Number: F31AR087303
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ARTHRITIS & MUSCULOSKELETAL & SKIN DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/15/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 09/14/2028

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Studies of Tendon Health in Women - PROJECT SUMMARY Menopause is a significant milestone in the aging process for women, marked by a gradual decline in estrogen production. After menopause, women face a higher risk of musculoskeletal injuries, including tendon injuries. Since tendons are essential for transferring force from muscle to bone, declines in tendon biomechanics and morphological alterations result in reduced musculoskeletal power output. Our preliminary data suggest a loss of in vivo tendon stiffness in older women (55+). Our human preliminary data are supported by preclinical work demonstrating that estrogen deficiency leads to a significant decline in tendon collagen content, molecular fibril organization, and biomechanical failure load. Overall, changes in tendons during menopause likely contribute to significant physical impairment and reduced quality of life. A substantial limitation in this field is that no studies have characterized tendon changes during the menopause transition, nor have they investigated in vivo fibril organization within the tendon. Furthermore, no research has established the cellular mechanisms underlying the reduced biomechanical stiffness and increased tendon size observed in postmenopausal women. The proposed research aims to determine morphological and biomechanical changes in vivo across the adult lifespan of women and to examine the role of aged serum on tendon cellular properties. We hypothesize that tendon modulus and fibril organization will decline over the lifespan, with a more rapid decline occurring during the perimenopause age range (45-55). In vitro, we hypothesize that serum from older individuals decreases collagen synthesis, cellular proliferation, and protein and genetic regulators of fibril organization compared to our youngest age group, and that ERα mediates this effect. The implications of the menopause transition and the mechanisms regulating tendon changes in aging females remain a critical knowledge gap. This gap limits the ability to develop optimal strategies to improve musculoskeletal health as women age. The proposed studies will be paired with a well-established interdisciplinary mentorship team. Throughout the completion of the proposed studies, the applicant will receive the necessary laboratory and training resources, personalized mentorship, and professional development opportunities to achieve the proposed research and training goals successfully. The skills acquired through the proposed research will support the applicant's development into a strong postdoctoral fellowship candidate and foster skills essential to a translational academic researcher in tendon physiology.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $50,114 )
2026	2026	PURDUE UNIVERSITY	2550 NORTHWESTERN AVE # 1100	WEST LAFAYETTE	IN	47906	TIPPECANOE	USA	Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research	002	1	9/23/2026	NEW	$0
2026	2026	PURDUE UNIVERSITY	2550 NORTHWESTERN AVE # 1100	WEST LAFAYETTE	IN	47906	TIPPECANOE	USA	Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research	000	1	9/10/2026	NEW	$50,114
2026	2026	PURDUE UNIVERSITY	2550 NORTHWESTERN AVE # 1100	WEST LAFAYETTE	IN	47906	TIPPECANOE	USA	Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research	001	1	9/23/2026	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $50,114

Grand Total All Awards = $50,114

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Studies of Tendon Health in Women

Award Number: F31AR087303

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ARTHRITIS & MUSCULOSKELETAL & SKIN DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/15/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 09/14/2028

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