Domenico Franco

As a clinician-scientist specializing in sports medicine and cartilage restoration, I am committed to bridging basic science discoveries with clinical solutions for cartilage lesions and knee osteoarthritis. My training in orthopedic surgery at Campus Bio-Medico University (Italy) and Research fellowships at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School (USA) have positioned me uniquely to investigate translational pathways in musculoskeletal care.

Under the mentorship of Prof. Christian Lattermann and Prof. Cale Jacobs, my research has pioneered the investigation of Hoffa’s fat pad biology and biomechanics in osteoarthritis development, characterizing inflammatory and fibrotic cascades affecting chondrocyte expression and joint degeneration. I have established expertise in molecular analysis (PCR, RNA sequencing), cadaveric biomechanical modeling, retrospective and prospective studies, and systematic review methodology.

My vision is to develop next-generation solutions, including early OA diagnostic biomarkers, targeted pharmacological interventions and cellular therapies, that address unmet clinical needs. Current research explores mesenchymal stem cells in knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral OA prevention following ACL injury. These contributions align with advancing meaningful patient impact through rigorous scientific inquiry.