Exploring the mechanical response of mature osteoblasts to underpin future therapy development.
Supervisors:
Dr Peter Childs Biomedical Engineering, (University of Strathclyde)
Dr Carmen Huesa, School of Infection & Immunity (University of Glasgow)
Summary:
Skeletal health is essential for animal welfare, yet many treatments are too costly to be applied in the veterinary sector. As example, egg laying hens and dairy cows can suffer from osteoporosis, potentially leading to fractures, reduced productivity and euthanasia in severe cases. This project focuses on exploring a low-cost, bone stimulation method to enhance bone health and accelerate fracture healing.
Bones constantly remodel based on mechanical cues, with increased stimulation promoting bone formation and decreased stimulation inducing bone loss. Osteoblasts are key to translating these cues within bones. However, harnessing relevant mechanical stimuli to enhance bone formation has been challenging. Application of specific vibration conditions guides mesenchymal stem cells toward the osteoblast lineage, but it’s effect on mature osteoblasts remains unexplored. Vibration is attractive as a technique due to its simplicity for laboratory and therapeutic use.
The project aims to optimise vibration parameters, compare responses to physiological cues, and manipulate mechanotransduction pathways in osteoblasts.
Students will acquire a diverse skill set bridging biomedical engineering and molecular biology. They'll learn about bioreactor design, cellular biomechanics and molecular biology techniques like tissue culture, microscopy, gene expression analysis, and bioinformatics. This well-rounded skill set will enable students to contribute to research in academic and industrial settings.