The Role Of Muscle And The Application Of Muscle-cell Therapies In Bone Repair
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$438,936.00
Summary
Muscle is often close to bone and we have found that muscle cells can directly contribute to bone repair. We are examining importance of muscle cells in orthopaedic repair and whether new methods for mobilizing muscle cells can improve healing.
A nanoengineered solution to drug delivery in bone. This project presents an exciting new approach of applying nanotechnology to bone research. By combining our expertise in nanoengineering of new materials, mathematical modelling and bone biology, this project will result in a well-characterised model for drug delivery into bone and lead to a new therapeutic approach for treating bone diseases.
Direct measurement of the kinetics of trans-femoral amputee gait during activities of daily living. This project involves the use of a novel technique to accurately measure the loads placed upon the lower limbs of above-knee amputees. Included in the subject group will be a number of amputees fitted with an artificial leg fitted directly into the bone. The ability to monitor a range of activities is possible by the use of a wireless telemetry system. The outcomes of this work will benefit ampute ....Direct measurement of the kinetics of trans-femoral amputee gait during activities of daily living. This project involves the use of a novel technique to accurately measure the loads placed upon the lower limbs of above-knee amputees. Included in the subject group will be a number of amputees fitted with an artificial leg fitted directly into the bone. The ability to monitor a range of activities is possible by the use of a wireless telemetry system. The outcomes of this work will benefit amputees around the world, as well as clinicians and companies who are dedicated to developing significant improvements in the functional abilities of subjects who have suffered amputation.Read moreRead less
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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Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668506
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
A Multi-Axis Biomaterials Testing Facility. Damage to bones and joints, due to injury or diseases such as osteoporosis and arthritis, is a major cause of disability and cost to the nation. Australia's ageing population contributes not only to an increasing incidence of such conditions, but also to more patients out-living implants such as replacement joints. In 2001-2, Australia spent over $800 million on joint replacement. Because over 11% of procedures are revisions of failed implants, even sm ....A Multi-Axis Biomaterials Testing Facility. Damage to bones and joints, due to injury or diseases such as osteoporosis and arthritis, is a major cause of disability and cost to the nation. Australia's ageing population contributes not only to an increasing incidence of such conditions, but also to more patients out-living implants such as replacement joints. In 2001-2, Australia spent over $800 million on joint replacement. Because over 11% of procedures are revisions of failed implants, even small improvements in implant life represent significant cost savings. By accurately simulating conditions within the body, this biomechanical testing facility will lead to new developments in implant designs and materials, in turn improving quality of life, productivity and treatment costs.Read moreRead less
Maximum Acceptable Risk Of Complication In Total Knee Arthroplasty (MARKA) Study: Using Discreet Choice Experiments To Elicit Patient And Surgeon Perception Of Acceptable Risk In Total Knee Arthroplasty
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$465,199.00
Summary
Patient expectation is the strongest predictor of satisfaction following total knee replacement. Dissatisfaction with surgery is reported in approximately 1 in 5 patients undergoing knee replacement. Unrealistic patient expectations and uninformed perceptions of potential benefits, risks and limitations of surgery lead to dissatisfaction in many cases. This study will examine the “risk-benefit” preferences in patients and surgeons considering total knee replacement as a treatment option for end- ....Patient expectation is the strongest predictor of satisfaction following total knee replacement. Dissatisfaction with surgery is reported in approximately 1 in 5 patients undergoing knee replacement. Unrealistic patient expectations and uninformed perceptions of potential benefits, risks and limitations of surgery lead to dissatisfaction in many cases. This study will examine the “risk-benefit” preferences in patients and surgeons considering total knee replacement as a treatment option for end-stage osteoarthritis.Read moreRead less
Interaction Of Rab3D And Tctex-1 Is Required For Bone Resorption Through The Regulation Of Post-TGN Vesicle Trafficking
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$391,510.00
Summary
Osteoclasts are multinucleated cells responsible for the breakdown-resorption of bone tissue. Elevated osteoclast numbers and-or activities is a major hallmark of a number of debilitating Orthopaedic-related diseases including osteoporosis, arthritis, bone cancer and aseptic loosening. Among these, osteoporosis is endemic in Western society with an estimated 1 in 2 women and 1 in 3 men sustaining a fracture in their lifetime. It is well accepted that the transport of carrier vesicles containing ....Osteoclasts are multinucleated cells responsible for the breakdown-resorption of bone tissue. Elevated osteoclast numbers and-or activities is a major hallmark of a number of debilitating Orthopaedic-related diseases including osteoporosis, arthritis, bone cancer and aseptic loosening. Among these, osteoporosis is endemic in Western society with an estimated 1 in 2 women and 1 in 3 men sustaining a fracture in their lifetime. It is well accepted that the transport of carrier vesicles containing bone destructive enzymes is critical for bone resorption by osteoclasts. Although vesicle transport has been shown to be associated with microtubules (the cells skeleton), the molecular mechanisms responsible for vesicle and microtubule interaction are largely unknown. We have identified a novel interaction between Rab3D, a vesicle transport molecule, with Tctex-1, a microtubule-binding protein. We propose that the binding of Rab3D to Tctex-1 in osteoclasts is essential for the interaction of vesicles with microtubules and, hence, osteoclast function. The focus of this project is to further confirm our hypothesis by analysing the importance of this interaction in osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. The anticpated outcomes of the proposed project are: 1) Rab3D-mediated vesicle transport is directed via the microtubule network; 2) Interaction between Rab3D and Tctex-1 is cruical for the coupling of Rab3D-mediated vesicle transport to the microtubules; and 3)Disruption of the Rab3D-Tctex-1 interaction may impair bone resorption. Understanding the molecular mechanisms which regulate osteoclastic vesicle trafficking might therefore enable us to develop new strategies to specifically target and inhibit breakdown of bone tissue.Read moreRead less
Biomechanics of the human spine measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Statistics show that 80% of the population suffer back pain at some time. However, because the spine is very complex our understanding of its mechanics and the causes of back pain are still limited. This project will investigate the anatomy and activity of the spinal muscles and the behaviour of the intervertebral disc in living subjects using innovative Magnetic Resonance Imaging techniques. Significant outcomes will be ....Biomechanics of the human spine measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Statistics show that 80% of the population suffer back pain at some time. However, because the spine is very complex our understanding of its mechanics and the causes of back pain are still limited. This project will investigate the anatomy and activity of the spinal muscles and the behaviour of the intervertebral disc in living subjects using innovative Magnetic Resonance Imaging techniques. Significant outcomes will be new definitive descriptions of the detailed anatomy of the spine and its mechanisms. This will enhance the accuracy and detail of models under development for predicting spinal function following disease, injury or surgical procedures.Read moreRead less
Bone tissue engineering using innovative tubular dual-layered nanofiber meshes. Lifetime risks for long-bone fractures in Caucasians over the age of 50 are 17 per cent for women and 6 per cent for men. A clear therapeutic need exists to address the ever-increasing problems of diminished productivity and reduced quality of life associated with bone disorders as the population ages. To address this challenge, the project’s multidisciplinary, international team will develop technologies to heal tib ....Bone tissue engineering using innovative tubular dual-layered nanofiber meshes. Lifetime risks for long-bone fractures in Caucasians over the age of 50 are 17 per cent for women and 6 per cent for men. A clear therapeutic need exists to address the ever-increasing problems of diminished productivity and reduced quality of life associated with bone disorders as the population ages. To address this challenge, the project’s multidisciplinary, international team will develop technologies to heal tibial defects. Furthermore, it will establish Australia's prominence in the tissue engineering field, training the next generation of young scientists and engineers. This technology will be of interest to numerous research groups and companies worldwide and will foster international collaboration, placing Australia at the forefront of this emerging field.Read moreRead less