Bone
This capability advances therapeutics, implants, diagnostics, and biologics for skeletal trauma, infection prevention, and bone regeneration. Emphasis includes load‑bearing biomaterials, orthobiologic constructs, antimicrobial strategies to prevent biofilms and AMR, and rapid point‑of‑care tools to guide fracture and osteomyelitis management in austere and delayed‑evacuation settings.
Technical Challenges
Complex polytrauma and large segmental bone loss from blast and high‑energy injuries.
High risk of contamination, biofilm formation, and antimicrobial resistance (osteomyelitis).
Mechanical demands for load‑bearing fixation in austere or delayed‑definitive‑care environments.
Biologic barriers to rapid regeneration: impaired vascularity, soft‑tissue loss, and systemic inflammation.
Emerging Opportunities
Point‑of‑care diagnostics to rapidly differentiate infected vs. sterile nonunion.
Modular, durable fixation and scaffold systems optimized for field stability and later reconstruction.
Orthobiologics and cell therapies with scalable manufacturing and shelf stability for forward use.
Locally targeted antimicrobial delivery that prevents resistance and supports bone healing without systemic toxicity.
Current and Emerging Technologies in Bone
Advanced fixation and smart implants
Next‑generation plates, intramedullary devices, and load‑sharing constructs with integrated sensors for stability monitoring, early detection of infection, and remote status reporting in prolonged field care.
Load‑bearing biomaterials and composites
Bioactive ceramics, polymer‑ceramic composites, and porous scaffolds engineered for mechanical strength, osteoconduction, and controllable resorption in large defect reconstruction.
Orthobiologics and tissue engineering
Growth factor delivery, mesenchymal cell therapies, and gene‑enhanced constructs designed to accelerate healing, restore bone volume, and integrate with host tissue under inflammatory and hypoxic conditions.
Antimicrobial coatings and local drug delivery
Surface chemistries, ion‑release systems, and biodegradable depots for high local antibiotic concentrations, anti‑biofilm activity, and reduced systemic exposure to combat osteomyelitis and device infections.
Point‑of‑care diagnostics and imaging
Rapid molecular assays, handheld imaging, and decision‑support tools to detect infection, assess vascularity and union potential, and guide early management in resource‑limited settings.
3D printing and biofabrication
Patient‑specific implants, porous constructs, and on‑demand surgical guides produced via additive manufacturing to support reconstruction and reduce OR time in both military and civilian trauma centers.
Importance to Military Medicine
Combat casualty care
Rapid hemorrhage control, stabilization, and fixation of skeletal injuries are essential to prevent life‑ and limb‑threatening sequelae after blast and ballistic trauma.
Prolonged and distributed care
Technologies that function reliably in delayed‑evacuation or austere environments preserve tissue, reduce complications, and enable staged reconstruction when definitive care is deferred.
Austere environment performance
Robust, shelf‑stable implants, antimicrobials, and diagnostics tailored for extreme temperatures, limited logistics, and variable surgical capacity sustain force health.
Force readiness and long‑term function
Restoring mobility, reducing chronic disability, and shortening recovery timelines directly supports operational readiness and reduces lifetime healthcare burden for injured Service members.
Alignment with the MTEC Mission
Accelerates translation of military‑relevant bone technologies into fieldable solutions that also benefit civilian trauma care.
Supports DoD priorities for prolonged, distributed care, force readiness, and mitigation of infection and polytrauma sequelae.
Enables public‑private partnerships to bridge laboratory research, scalable manufacturing, and operational testing under military requirements.
Dual-Use (Military + Civilian) Applications
Dual‑use devices and biologics reduce time and cost to market by addressing both battlefield needs and high‑volume civilian orthopedic trauma and reconstructive indications.
Antimicrobial technologies and diagnostics developed for military infection control translate directly to civilian surgical site infection and chronic osteomyelitis management.
Scalable orthobiologic manufacturing and 3D‑printed implants support both niche military needs and broader commercial markets in trauma and reconstructive surgery.
Field‑deliverable diagnostics and telemedicine tools foster interoperable solutions benefitting remote civilian hospitals and disaster response systems.
Explore MTEC Members with Bone Capabilities
MTEC members bring multidisciplinary strengths—orthopedic surgery, biomaterials engineering, infectious disease expertise, regulatory and manufacturing experience—to accelerate maturation of bone technologies from concept to operational use.
Consortium collaboration supports end‑user informed prototyping, realistic operational testing, and scaled commercialization pathways that meet DoD performance and sustainment requirements.
Explore member profiles to find partners with capabilities in orthobiologics, additive manufacturing, antimicrobial strategies, point‑of‑care diagnostics, and clinical trial expertise to advance bone solutions for Warfighters and civilians alike.
86 Members with Bone capabilities.
The Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI) is a member-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the bioeconomy of the United States. Its mission encompasses enhancing manufacturing, healthcare, and education and workforce development, aiming to create a scalable and effective manufacturing ecosystem for engineered cells, tissues, and organs.
Georgia Southern University is a vibrant institution with over 26,100 students across three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, and Hinesville. The university offers 132 degree programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate levels, emphasizing student success, community impact, and research excellence. With a commitment to inclusivity and engagement, Georgia Southern fosters a supportive environment for diverse learners, including military-affiliated and adult students. The university is dedicated to transforming lives through education and community engagement, aligning its programs with regional needs. Additionally, Georgia Southern provides accelerated pathways for students to fast-track their master's degrees, enhancing educational opportunities. The university also emphasizes career readiness and public impact research, preparing students for successful careers and contributing to community development.
FiteBac Technology/FiteBac Pharma's K21 uniquely targets the underlying disease state, given that most diseases involve microbial-associated inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction. FiteBac Technology innovations stem from the work of numerous international academic research scientists. FiteBac Pharma K21 is the blockbuster antimicrobial small molecule designed to modulate biological, immunological, and metabolic systems for treating a wide range of infectious and inflammatory diseases. This patented drug substance has demonstrated the ability to safely eliminate bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, enhance innate immunity, induce mitophagy while improving mitochondrial and cellular metabolism, accelerate wound healing, and even promote the development of zebrafish and chickens, leading to increased adult mass. Rigorous research from Dr. Bhupesh Prusty's laboratory and Dr Christopher Rongo's laboratory is focused on various aspects of mitochondrial remodeling and reprograming, as well as mitochondrial-to-nuclear signaling with K21.
Humanetics Corporation is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, focused on developing and commercializing products to enhance human health and wellbeing. Founded in 1988, the company specializes in radiation modulators, adjunctive oncology therapies, and pulmonary protective therapies, particularly for COVID-19. Humanetics is known for its lead drug candidate, BIO 300, which is being developed as a radioprotectant for military and civilian use, as well as a treatment to improve outcomes in cancer patients receiving radiotherapy. The company is actively engaged in research programs for non-small cell lung cancer, prostate cancer, and head and neck cancers.
NervGen Pharma Corp is a clinical-stage biotech company focused on developing innovative treatments to enable nervous system repair in cases of traumatic injury and disease. Their lead drug candidate, NVG-291, is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1b/2a clinical trial for spinal cord injury, with additional preclinical evaluations for conditions such as ischemic stroke and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The company is also advancing a new development candidate, NVG-300, in preclinical studies.
Auburn University Research & Economic Development is dedicated to advancing research and economic growth through a collaborative effort among its various colleges and departments. The organization focuses on fostering innovation, supporting faculty and student research, and facilitating partnerships with industry and government to address societal challenges and enhance the quality of life. Recent initiatives include the launch of the Team Science Series to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of the Gulf Coast Engineering Research Station to address coastal environmental challenges.
Sonogen Medical Inc. is dedicated to researching, developing, and commercializing next-generation ultrasonic bone fracture healing technology. The company combines expertise in fluid mechanics, biophysics, sonar, and medical ultrasound to create safe and effective devices for bone healing.
The Institute for Integrative & Innovative Research (I3R) at the University of Arkansas is dedicated to pioneering solutions to complex societal challenges through convergence research. With a mission to advance research excellence and stimulate economic development, I3R focuses on deploying innovations at scale through collaboration across various sectors, including academia, industry, and government.
The University of Chicago is a prestigious urban research university committed to rigorous inquiry and intellectual freedom. Founded in 1890, it has produced numerous Nobel laureates and is known for its transformative education and groundbreaking research across various fields. The university fosters an inclusive and diverse learning environment, encouraging participation from all community members.
Boston University is a major research institution committed to leading breakthroughs across various disciplines. The Office of Research supports and advances research excellence, fostering collaboration among researchers, industry partners, and government leaders to address significant societal challenges.
Baylor University is a preeminent Christian research university committed to addressing the world's most meaningful challenges through top-tier research and scholarship. Recognized as an R1 research institution, Baylor focuses on infusing its distinct Christian mission into its research initiatives, fostering a commitment to excellence and innovation.
Entropia Labs focuses on advancing functional medicine and wellness therapeutics through AI-driven molecular design and delivery technologies. The company aims to close the gap between promising treatments and rigorous scientific validation, with an emphasis on health-span extension.
NuShores Biosciences LLC, founded in 2014, is dedicated to commercializing patented bone and tissue regeneration technologies developed at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The company aims to improve the quality of life for individuals with severe tissue regeneration needs through innovative solutions like the NuCress™ bone scaffold technology, which is designed to promote healing in large segmental bone defects.
Exponent is a multidisciplinary science and engineering consulting firm serving sectors including healthcare, energy, manufacturing, and consumer products. From medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and supplements to digital health and wearables, we deliver rigorous science that quantifies impacts on human health. Exponent helps you push the envelope on the development, deployment, safety, and effectiveness of cutting-edge drugs, devices, and diagnostics — concomitantly balancing benefits and risks. Count on our multidisciplinary, data-driven, evidence-based assessments to give you clarity on your most complex product needs and challenges. With lives on the line, innovations that support healthcare demand the highest levels of scientific rigor. Whether you’re developing a novel drug, a sturdier stent, or a faster flu test, you need clear answers to complex questions, quickly. Exponent supports our life sciences clients across the total product lifecycle by solving critical design, regulatory, safety, and market access challenges. We can collaborate with you throughout your journey, helping you navigate risks and opportunities — and optimize outcomes — with science-based strategies and specialized expertise.
Blood Centers of America (BCA) is the largest blood supply network in the United States, comprising over 60 independent community blood centers that collectively distribute approximately 50% of the nation's blood supply. BCA supports member organizations through supply chain solutions, donor recruitment, advocacy, disaster response, and purchasing power. In addition to providing whole blood, red blood cells, platelets, plasma, cells, and tissues for therapeutic, diagnostic, research, and advanced therapy applications, BCA and its network are engaged in the development and delivery of advanced therapies including cell and gene therapy starting materials, processing, and manufacturing. BCA actively mobilizes resources in response to national emergencies, pandemics, and technological advances in donor experience and biotherapeutics.
Solventum is a healthcare company dedicated to enabling better, smarter, and safer healthcare solutions. With a legacy of innovation, Solventum focuses on improving patient outcomes through advanced medical technologies, oral care solutions, health information technology, and purification and filtration systems.

University of California San Francisco
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Arizona State University
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