The Role of Morbid Obesity in Osteoarthritis of the Knee Joint

Prof H Simpson's profile is coming soon

Career overview

Professor Donald Salter is affiliated with the Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine at the MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh. His research focuses on various diseases and conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, aiming to enhance the understanding of pathological processes and identify new targets for translational studies to improve patient outcomes. Currently, Professor Salter is concentrating on the use of mesenchymal stromal cells for bone and cartilage repair, as well as their application as theragnostic agents in cancer treatment. He has developed a novel transgenic approach enabling mesenchymal stromal cells to produce magnetic nanoparticles, which are being evaluated alongside engineered nanoparticles for their effectiveness in clinical applications, including bone and cartilage repair, in vivo imaging, magnetic hyperthermia treatment, and radiosensitisation for cancer therapy. In the realm of osteoarthritis research, Professor Salter collaborates with Professor Stuart Ralston to utilise in vitro and in vivo models to investigate how inherited and environmentally acquired risk factors, such as susceptibility-associated SNPs in genes identified in genome-wide association studies (GWA), and obesity, influence cellular functions within diarthrodial joints, leading to cartilage, synovial, and bone abnormalities that result in joint failure. Furthermore, he is part of a multidisciplinary group in Edinburgh dedicated to understanding the biology and molecular abnormalities that contribute to the development of rare cancers, such as sarcomas, which have an incidence of 0.1 – 5 per 100,000. These cancers are most commonly observed in young teenagers and adolescents for bone sarcomas, while soft tissue sarcomas are more prevalent in patients over 55. The research aims to identify biomarkers and abnormal pathways that can be targeted for personalised therapy, employing molecular and proteomic approaches on patient samples to discover novel mutations. A key focus of current research is the dysregulated expression of molecules such as NG2/CSPG4 in soft tissue and bone sarcomas and how this influences sarcoma growth and spread.

Research interests

Professor Salter's research focuses on diseases and conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, aiming to enhance understanding of pathological processes and identify new targets for translational studies to improve patient outcomes. Current research includes the use of mesenchymal stromal cells for bone and cartilage repair and as theragnostic agents in cancer treatment. A novel transgenic approach has been developed, enabling mesenchymal stromal cells to produce magnetic nanoparticles, which are being evaluated alongside engineered nanoparticles for various clinical applications, including in vivo imaging and magnetic hyperthermia treatment. In osteoarthritis research, in collaboration with Professor Stuart Ralston, in vitro and in vivo models are being utilised to explore how inherited and environmentally acquired risk factors, such as susceptibility-associated SNPs and obesity, affect cell function within diarthrodial joints, leading to cartilage, synovial, and bone abnormalities that result in joint failure. Additionally, research on sarcomas, which are rare cancers, is being conducted to understand the biology and molecular abnormalities associated with their development, aiming to identify biomarkers and targetable pathways for personalised therapy. This includes a molecular and proteomic approach to patient samples to discover novel mutations, with a focus on the dysregulated expression of molecules like NG2/CSPG4 in soft tissue and bone sarcomas and their influence on cancer growth and spread.