The Role Of Perlecan In Tensional Connective Tissues
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$605,037.00
Summary
Musculoskeletal diseases affect tension and weight bearing connective tissues which have notoriously poor repair capabilities. These conditions are difficult to treat clinically and surgical repair in many cases does not provide a return to optimal joint function impinging on the quality of life of afflicted individuals and their carers. Our project aims to better understand the structure and function of these tissues in health and disease with a view to improving repair strategies.
Manipulating The Anabolic And Catabolic Responses For Bone Tissue Engineering
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$58,202.00
Summary
The repair of large bone defects represents a significant clinical problem. Evolving tissue engineering technologies may lead to significant improvements in orthopaedic treatments for these problems. We plan to compare novel biological approaches designed to maximise new bone formation while preventing bone resorption with existing synthetic graft materials. Our research data will be readily translated from the laboratory to a clinical setting.
SPARC Induced Tendon Differentiation And Regeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$154,718.00
Summary
Tendinopathy has a significant patient morbidity, which is a clear burden to the Australian economy. A better fundamental grasp of tendon tissue biology is urgently required. This study will enable us to establish the role of matricellular protein SPARC in tendon function, thus enhance the understanding of tendon biology and enable translation of the bench work to potential clinical applications.
Mobilisation Of Endogenous Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells For Growth Plate Regeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$605,251.00
Summary
Growth plate cartilage is responsible for bone growth in children. Its injury is common and is often repaired undesirably by bony tissue which causes significant bone growth defects. This project will develop a biological treatment through mobilising endogenous progenitor cells to enhance growth plate regeneration and prevent bone growth defects, which will allow patients to avoid highly invasive/costly corrective surgeries.
Osteal Macrophages As Therapeutic Targets For Fracture Repair
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$618,015.00
Summary
Fragility fracture associated with osteoporosis is a substantial health problem costing $1.62 billion to treat in 2012 in Australia. There is no approved therapy to improve and accelerate fracture healing to help reduce this increasing health burden. This research will advance understanding of fracture repair in healthy and osteoporotic bone and progress development of a fracture therapy to improve bone repair by promoting specialised immune cells.
Bone Growth For Healthy Development: Physiology, Pathophysiology, And Regeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$621,458.00
Summary
Musculoskeletal damage is a major burden on individuals and our health care system. My research program will focus on improving bone health in three important areas: (1) children’s growth plate injury and growth defects; (2) bone loss and bone marrow defects from cancer chemotherapy; (3) ensuring that bone grows healthily in early life. The overall intent of this research is to develop new therapies when bone doesn’t grow well, or is damaged.
Cell Biology Of Stress Fractures: Activation Of Remodelling At Sites Of Non-union
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$493,817.00
Summary
Stress fractures are debilitating injuries. We characterised a model of stress fractures in rat ulnae, learning that they heal by activated remodelling, that key genes are expressed in a temporal pattern, and that part of the fracture remains un-healed, similar to many clinical cases. Now, we will examine cell localisation of important genes necessary for remodelling, and test the efficacy of different growth factors to activate a healing response in the non-healed section of the fracture.