Mobility of water in cartilage as a probe of molecular structure and function. Clinical diagnosis of early-stage osteoarthritis is difficult, and most patients are not diagnosed until a substantial degradation of cartilage has occurred as a result of the disease. This research will study the interaction between different components of articular cartilage and investigate, how this interaction can be exploited for the development of reliable and non-invasive techniques of cartilage imaging. Mobili ....Mobility of water in cartilage as a probe of molecular structure and function. Clinical diagnosis of early-stage osteoarthritis is difficult, and most patients are not diagnosed until a substantial degradation of cartilage has occurred as a result of the disease. This research will study the interaction between different components of articular cartilage and investigate, how this interaction can be exploited for the development of reliable and non-invasive techniques of cartilage imaging. Mobility of water molecules is a potent indicator of the microscopic structure of the cartilage scaffold. We will use this fundamental biophysical relationship to measure the internal architecture of collagen fibres; observe the changes effected by mechanical load; and distinguish between healthy and osteoarthritic cartilage.
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Material structure and properties of mineralised tissue: An integrated micro and nano level investigation. Bone material properties have a direct influence on disorders of the skeleton, such as osteoporotic bone fragility fractures and osteoarthritis. It has been estimated that the direct and indirect cost of all fragility fractures and arthritis is over $20 billion per annum. The impact of this will be far-reaching with the social benefits ranging from earlier and more accurate diagnoses, to t ....Material structure and properties of mineralised tissue: An integrated micro and nano level investigation. Bone material properties have a direct influence on disorders of the skeleton, such as osteoporotic bone fragility fractures and osteoarthritis. It has been estimated that the direct and indirect cost of all fragility fractures and arthritis is over $20 billion per annum. The impact of this will be far-reaching with the social benefits ranging from earlier and more accurate diagnoses, to the development of preventative strategies to delay the onset of musculoskeletal disorders. These developments will translate into exciting commercial opportunities and overall economic growth and sustainability.Read moreRead less