Orthopaedic medicine utilises precise control of critical aspects of the bone healing response. This proposal looks at a novel, and powerful neural-based method for controlling these processes. This will be done by modulating the activity of the neuropeptide Y1 receptor, recently identified on osteoblastic cells and capable of powerful, inverse regulation of bone formation activity. Harnessing these effects will provide a critical tool for existing surgical practice.
Gene Variants Related To Bone Density And Fracture.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$330,375.00
Summary
Bone density and osteoporosis have a genetic component. Identifying genes that are involved in determining bone density may permit advances in controlling osteoporosis. We have identified a variant that is related to bone density high enough to protect individuals four fold against Colle's fracture, the common wrist fracture seen in women. In addition, some people with bone fracture at the hip, or low bone density, have mutations in this gene. The gene is a master regulator of the cells that mak ....Bone density and osteoporosis have a genetic component. Identifying genes that are involved in determining bone density may permit advances in controlling osteoporosis. We have identified a variant that is related to bone density high enough to protect individuals four fold against Colle's fracture, the common wrist fracture seen in women. In addition, some people with bone fracture at the hip, or low bone density, have mutations in this gene. The gene is a master regulator of the cells that make bone: this gives hope that it may be possible to alter bone formation through this master regulator.Read moreRead less
Bone Fragility: The Neglected Role Of Cortical Porosity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,381.00
Summary
Cortical (outer shell) or compact bone constitutes 80% of the skeleton. It is not solid as implied by its name but made of inter-connected canals resembling a network of roads. We recently discovered that most of the bone loss with age occurs from these canals, not from t rabecular bone as currently believed. This suggests to know why and how bone breaks requires the study of the morphology of these canals and how they change with age. This is what we propose to do. It has never been done.
Development And Validation Of A Finite Element Model For Orthopaedic Screw Insertion Into Trabecular Bone
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,454.00
Summary
Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones that results in reduced bone strength and susceptibility to fragility fractures. Due to the spongy nature of osteoporotic bone, surgeons face major difficulties in obtaining secure fixation of bone screws. Our aim is to develop and validate a computer model of orthopaedic screw insertion into trabecular bone based on micro-computed tomography image data. This will allow an assessment of the most appropriate screw designs for stable fixation of implants.
Fragility Fractures: The Neglected Role Of Cortical Porosity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$865,474.00
Summary
We just discovered that bone lost with age occurs mostly from pores within the cortex (outer shell) of the bone; These pores become larger (porosity) making bones fragile. This process is poorly detected by bone density (currently used tool) so that most people with weak bones are missed. To address this issue, we have for the first time, develop a technology to accurately quantify porosity in living peoples. With teams around the world, we aim here to fill this gap in the diagnosis.
The Micro-structural Basis Of Bone Loss And Fragility After Menopause: A Longitudinal Co-twin Control Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$873,950.00
Summary
Every woman becomes postmenopausal. Not all lose bone or sustain fractures after menopause. We will identify women who lose bone and those who don't and so identify women at risk for fracture so that they can be targeted for treatment and identify those who do not need to be treated. This will be done by measuring bone structure and how strong the bone is using a new, safe, quick technology that can be used in clinical practice
Role Of The Osteoclast In Endochondral Fracture Repair
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$310,136.00
Summary
Failure of bone healing leads to significant pain and disability, such that augmentation of fracture repair is a dynamic and important field of study. A full understanding of bone repair is necessary before we can hope to introduce successful therapies. We theorise that by stimulating bone forming cells and inhibiting bone resorbing cells we may be able to provide optimal results. Bone resorbing cells, or osteoclasts, have long been considered essential to the initial stages of bone repair (endo ....Failure of bone healing leads to significant pain and disability, such that augmentation of fracture repair is a dynamic and important field of study. A full understanding of bone repair is necessary before we can hope to introduce successful therapies. We theorise that by stimulating bone forming cells and inhibiting bone resorbing cells we may be able to provide optimal results. Bone resorbing cells, or osteoclasts, have long been considered essential to the initial stages of bone repair (endochondral ossification) during which the early soft cartilaginous callus is replaced by hard mineralised callus. Our preliminary studies lead us to believe that endochondral ossification can indeed proceed without osteoclast activity. If we can safely eliminate osteoclast function early in the early stages of fracture repair, a number of therapeutic options open up for the augmentation of bone healing. The return of osteoclast function is necessary in the long term, so our strategy will also need to take this into account. This study will establish which systems are pivotal in endochondral ossification and therefore which interventions we should explore.Read moreRead less
Vertebral Body Strength: Contribution Of Bone Mass, Bone Structure And Material Properties
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$434,498.00
Summary
This study will determine the contributions to vertebral body strength made by its structural and material properties. Using state-of-the-art computed-tomography scanners, digitised representations of vertebral bodies in three-dimensions will be produced, which enable measurement of bone structure. After strength testing of the vertebral bodies, the structural and material properties, which combine to predict vertebral body strength, will be identified in an aged population.