Identification Of Novel PTH Anabolic Targets In Osteoblasts
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$547,216.00
Summary
Osteoporosis is a major disease affecting Australians. Whilst there are a number of drugs available that will reduce bone loss, there are few drugs available that build new bone, and little is known of the action of these drugs. New targets have been identified that modulate bone formation, and this project aims to validate these in appropriate models and determine their mechanism of action.
Optimising Bone Regeneration Using Advanced Design And Fabrication Technologies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$916,671.00
Summary
The aging population has produced a rapidly increasing demand for synthetic implants that can regenerate lost or diseased bone. This project will produce an implant that represents a viable alternative to bone autografts and allografts with broad applications for the repair of large or challenging bone defects. Such an achievement will have significant healthcare benefits by reducing patient morbidity and recovery time, and improving long-term outcomes.
Experimental And Computational Study On Biomechanical Behavior Of Osteocytes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$86,073.00
Summary
The experimental and computational methods (finite element method) are used to predict biomechanical behaviors of osteocytes under normal physiological loading, overloading or under-loading/disuse. This quantitative research will not only help to elucidate the mechanisms of mechanotransduction in osteocytes, it will provide important information that is also relevant to mechanobiology in general.
Delayed bone healing can be a considerable problem in both children and adults. Up to 10% of fractures fail to heal properly. An advanced understanding of the cellular responses in bone repair and their manipulation could improve the lives of many patients with orthopaedic problems. These studies will advance out knowledge of interventions to promote bone healing which could be translated rapidly into clinical care.
Does Teriparatide Reverse Osteonecrosis Of The Jaw In Patients With Cancer? A Randomised, Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$137,700.00
Summary
Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a debilitating bone condition involving damage and suboptimal healing of bone involving the jaw. This has been associated with bisphosphonate therapy, which is commonly used for the treatment of both cancer and osteoporosis. My research aims to investigate the role of recombinant parathyroid hormone in the stimulation of bone formation and healing and, thus, its potential to reverse ONJ.
Hypothalamic Signalling In Cortical And Trabecular Bone Anabolic Activity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$472,770.00
Summary
Osteoporosis is a disease associated with an exponential rise in the number of fractures in the elderly. These fractures are so common that around 1 in 3 women and 1in four men will be affected. They cause pain, disability that can be permanent disability and are associated with premature death. Current treatments are able to effectively increase bone strength in osteoporotic patients but can not return bone strength to normal. Some new treatments can restore bone strength to some extent but the ....Osteoporosis is a disease associated with an exponential rise in the number of fractures in the elderly. These fractures are so common that around 1 in 3 women and 1in four men will be affected. They cause pain, disability that can be permanent disability and are associated with premature death. Current treatments are able to effectively increase bone strength in osteoporotic patients but can not return bone strength to normal. Some new treatments can restore bone strength to some extent but these are limited by expense and safety concerns. We have discovered a pathway in the brain that reduces bone formation and by blocking this pathway we can achieve doubling of the amount of bone in key bone sites. This occurs due to a marked increase in the amount of new bone formed. In fact, genetic manipulation of this pathway was able to double the speed at which bone is made by the skeleton. Excitingly, these increases in bone were possible in adult mice, suggesting such changes could be potential therapy for human patients. However, in order to be able to harness this pathway we must understand what molecules within the brain are responsible for the signals that reach the bone. Our proposal aims to identify the nerve signalling molecule(s) and the receptor for these signals within the brain that initiates the increase in bone formation. This project ultimately aims to identify a target for new therapies that could cause this beneficial effect by administration of a simple treatment, preferably by mouth in adult humans.Read moreRead less
A Study Of Various Bone Scaffolds In A Maxillary Sinus Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$61,711.00
Summary
This project investigates using animal derived and artificial bone in regions of the mouth that are deficient and not suitable for replacing missing teeth using dental implants. Traditional techniques of bone replacement require the use of a patient's own bone. These procedures are associated with post-operative morbidity and this bone is present in limited quantity. The use of these bone replacements may overcome these challenges and eliminate the need for using patient's bone.
Regulation Of Bone Resorption And Formation In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,596,183.00
Summary
Bone is continually being formed and broken down, and these two processes are critical forthe maintenance of a normal skeleton. These processes are dependent upon communication between the bone building and degrading cells, and the hormones growth factors and cytokines that are present in the circulation or produced in bone. The tightly regulated processes of bone formation and degradation need to remain equal, and are essential for the achievement and maintenance of skeletal strength and form. ....Bone is continually being formed and broken down, and these two processes are critical forthe maintenance of a normal skeleton. These processes are dependent upon communication between the bone building and degrading cells, and the hormones growth factors and cytokines that are present in the circulation or produced in bone. The tightly regulated processes of bone formation and degradation need to remain equal, and are essential for the achievement and maintenance of skeletal strength and form. Osteoporosis results from an excess of bone breakdown over formation, and our Program aims to identify the factors that regulate these processes, and develop new therapies that can modify them. We will also determine what it is about bone cell properties that make some cancers, especially those of breast and prostate, particularly prone to spread to bone.Read moreRead less
Influence Of Osteocytes On Anabolic Bone Therapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$586,965.00
Summary
This project seeks to define the influence of changes in gene expression in cells called osteocytes, that exist within the substance of bone. These cells form a communication network within the bones of the skeleton, and appear to influence bone formation; changes in gene expression by these cells could influence the efficacy of current and emerging osteoporosis therapies.