• Research Themes
• Accomplishments
• Publications

Research Themes

The Joint Motion Program comprises more than 20 investigators working cohesively to answer important questions about bone and joint health. This transdisciplinary initiative includes researchers from Western's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, and Faculties of Health Sciences and Engineering, as well as scientists from the Robarts Research Institute (Robarts), the Lawson Health Research Institute (Lawson), McMaster University and the University of Guelph.

Research Themes

Theme 1/ Molecular, cellular and pre-clinical research

The spectrum of osteoarthritis is complex, involving a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by an adaptive response of synovial joints to a variety of environmental, genetic and biomechanical stresses. To fully understand the roles played by cartilage, synovium, and subchondral bone, it is essential that our research team include expertise in molecular and cellular biology. The CIHR Group in Skeletal Development and Remodeling within the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry provides a strong team of researchers with complementary expertise in all joint tissues as well as: molecular biology, cell biology, protein structure and function, signal transduction and growth factors, biomineralization, functional genomics and proteomics, and the development of animal models for arthritis.

Current Mentors include: Frank Beier, Jeff Dixon, Harvey Goldberg, Douglas Hamilton, Mark Hurtig, Andrew Leask, Cheryle Seguin, and Stephen Sims.

Theme 2/ Bioengineering (imaging, biomechanics and biomaterials)

Mechanical stress that exceeds the tolerance of the articular surface and supporting bone plays an important role in the development and progression of joint degradation, and in all forms of osteoarthritis. Our team includes experienced biomedical engineers and imaging scientists, who will be able to implement novel imaging techniques (such as magnetic resonance imaging and dynamic radiographic imaging) and numerical models (using finite-element analysis), facilitating accurate measurements of mechanical stress in dynamically loaded joints. These studies - carried out in subjects with joint disease ranging from mild to severe - will provide unique information related to mechanical loading, that will be incorporated into the cellular, tissue and animal experiments carried out by researchers in Theme 1. To the best of our knowledge, this level of integration among basic scientists, engineers and clinicians has not been previously achieved by a single musculoskeletal research group.

Current Mentors include: Trevor Birmingham, Cynthia Dunning, David Holdsworth, Thomas Jenkyn, James Johnson, and Douglas Naudie.

Theme 3/ Clinical, health services and community health.

An ultimate goal of the Joint Motion Program is to translate our biological and biomechanical research into improved diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis. A unique advantage of our integrated program is the inclusion of clinical researchers who will acquire quantitative body biometric data (in addition to standard clinical and patient-reported data) in selected patient cohorts. Study subjects will include those with early disease, older individuals living independently in a "naturally occurring retirement community", elderly patients seen at a geriatric treatment facility, and individuals with osteoarthritis or trauma to joints of the upper extremities. Data acquired will include gait, strength, body composition, neuromuscular and hemodynamic parameters. The inclusion of clinical and community-based researchers with strong clinical research programs will provide trainees critical access to the populations and infrastructure required to conduct clinical studies related to the etiology and initiation of osteoarthritis in humans, the evaluation of new diagnostic and predictive assessment procedures, and development and assessment of new therapies that promote healthy joint function and mobility.

Current Mentors include:  Trevor Birmingham, Robert Bourne, Dianne Bryant, Timothy Doherty, Femida Gwadry-Sridhar, Graham King, Marita Kloseck, Robert Litchfield, Joy MacDermid, Monica Maly, Douglas Naudie, and Robert Petrella.