Hanson Institute Research
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- Hanson Institute Research
- Cancer Research
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Bone and Joint Research
Centre for Orthopaedic and Trauma Research Bone Cell Biology Laboratory
Adelaide Centre for Spinal Research
The centre studies the biomechanics of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems in normal, diseased and injured states. The laboratory has close collaboration between research and clinics.
| Name | Prof Brian Freeman |
| Telephone | +61 8 831 37472 |
| brian.freeman@adelaide.edu.au | |
| Website | none |
Orthopaedic and Trauma Research
The core focus of the Centre for Orthopaedic and Trauma Research Bone Cell Biology Laboratory is to elucidate the pathobiology of the bone related diseases osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and bone cancer.
| Name | Prof. David Findlay |
| Telephone | +61 8 822 25621 |
| david.findlay@adelaide.edu.au | |
| Website | none |
| Name | A/Prof Gerald Atkins |
| Telephone | +61 8 822 23107 |
| gerald.atkins@adelaide.edu.au | |
| Website | none |
Endocrine Bone Laboratory
Studies in our laboratory have focussed on characterising dietary and hormonal factors influencing bone structure and strength particularly as related to osteoporosis. In particular, we are interested on the contribution of vitamin D status to bone structure and cellular proliferation and maturation.
We have consequently developed rodent models of vitamin D depletion to study changes to bone structure and bone cell activity. We have also developed and obtained a number of knock-out and transgenic mouse models to study the roles of direct vitamin D activity and metabolism within the skeleton. These models have been used successfully and been the subject of numerous publications and NHMRC project grants.
Collaborations with clinicians have allowed the laboratory to participate in clinical studies to develop and test hypothesises arising from the animal model work. This work has integrated biochemical, hormonal, and dietary interactions with quantification of skeletal structure, strength and bone cell activities including molecular signalling.
| Name | Prof Howard Morris |
| Telephone | +61 8 822 23031 |
| howard.morris@health.sa.gov.au | |
| Website | none |
Musculoskeletal Biology Research Laboratory
The Musculoskeletal Biology Research Laboratory (MBRL) explores fundamental bone biology research with an emphasis on preventative strategies to minimise bone loss associated with osteoporosis. Current treatment therapies are poor partly because administration can only be given later in life, for relatively short periods and usually only when significant bone loss has already occurred. New strategies to prevent bone loss in the first place are urgently needed.
Vitamin D deficiency is an issue which keeps popping up in the media, as it is suggested that many more of us are vitamin D deficient than ever before. From a clinical perspective, we investigate the issues of what levels of vitamin D do we need to prevent a multitude of diseases, including osteoporosis. We are also describing in detail what the molecular and cellular effects of changes to vitamin D activity within the skeleton on overall bone health. These studies are demonstrating the role of vitamin D in is determining bone health and define how much vitamin D is needed for skeletal health.
| Name | A/Prof Paul Anderson |
| Telephone | +61 8 822 23244 |
| paul.anderson@unisa.edu.au | |
| Website | none |