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Cartilage is a firm tissue found in the joints, between the spinal vertebrae, in the bronchial tubes, and in the ears and nose. There are three different types of cartilage whose physical properties depend on its function and where it is found. Hyaline cartilage is a type of cartilage found between joints and in the respiratory tract. Articular cartilage is hyaline cartilage that coats the joints and prevents them from rubbing as the move. It has extremely durable physical properties, no vasculature, and low cell density being composed mostly of extra cellular matrix. Due to the low vascularity the regenerative capabilities are very low and injuries can be catastrophic and do not heal completely.

A general synovial joint. 
Cartoon graphic showing articular cartilage and synovial joint [22]

Currently there are a couple of different avenues of treatment for osteoarthritis. These treatments can range from pharmacological treatments like NSAIDs or intra-articular steroids, assistive devices like walkers and canes, invasive surgical intervention through joint replacements and new regenerative methods [23][24]. This project aims to print mesenchymal stem cells in an alginate and gelatin scaffold that will mimic native articular cartilage. This would allow for a new treatment modality that shifts away from prevention and pain management to regeneration and undoing the cartilage damage.