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The Academic Unit of Bone Biology was established in 2003 following the appointment of Peter Croucher to the chair of bone biology. The Unit has been strengthened by the recent appointments of Professor Tim Skerry to the chair of orthopaedic biology, and Dr Ilaria Bellantuono and Dr Alison Gartland to lectureships in bone biology. The Unit is based in the newly refurbished Sheffield Medical Research Institute laboratories adjacent to the Sheffield University Teaching Hospital Trust in the Hallamshire Hospital. The activities of the Unit provide a focus for research in cellular and molecular aspects of bone biology in the School of Medicine.
The principal interests of the Unit are in understanding the normal regulation of skeletal development, skeletal homeostasis, and how these processes are disturbed in disease. Research includes:
- Research into the biology of bone marrow stem cells with particular emphasis on mesenchymal stem cells. There is a focus on understanding the mechanisms of mesenchymal stem cell migration, differentiation into osteoblasts and in stem cell aging (Ilaria Bellantuono).
- Research into the role of the P2 receptor signaling system in osteoblast and chondrocyte differentiation and function. There is also interest in understanding the role of the P2X7 receptor and PPARs in osteoclast formation and function (Alison Gartland).
- Research into how bone adapts to load and how it perceives and responds to exercise. There is a focus on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to this response (Tim Skerry).
- Research into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of tumour-induced bone disease. The emphasis is on the role of TNF family members in regulating tumour-induced osteoclast formation and the role of Wnt family members in regulating osteoblast differentiation (Peter Croucher).
Members of the Unit have active collaborations with other departments in the University. These include with the MRC Centre for Development and Biomedical Genetics (Dr Henry Roehl) in the use of zebrafish as a model of skeletal development (Professor Croucher) and with the Centre for Stem Cell Biology (Professor Harry Moore) in the use of ES cells in bone regeneration (Dr Bellantuono).
In addition, the Academic Unit of Bone Biology also accommodates the Bone Analysis Laboratory. This laboratory has been established to provide members of the Section of Musculoskeletal Science, and academics throughout the School, with access to contemporary approaches to analysing bone. These include experienced bone histologists, bone histomorphometry and image analysis expertise, and access to the latest microCT and x-ray equipment. The activities of this laboratory are managed by Dr Les Coulton and Orla Gallagher.
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