Effect of bone anabolic interventions on the bone morphological and mechanical properties

Musculoskeletal diseases have a huge impact in our ageing society, affecting dramatically the disability of patients suffering from them. Osteoporosis causes almost 9 million fractures annually worldwide, causing more disability than most cancers.

Combined anabolic and physical interventions have the potential of increasing the bone strength and reduce the risk of fracture in patients. The efficacy of novel interventions has to be tested in animal models preclinically before clinical trials and the mouse is the most common animal used in preclinical assessments. In this project the student will process and analyse data that have been already collected from a mouse model of combined interventions.

The bones, already collected and scanned at high resolution with in vivo micro-computed tomography (microCT) and ex vivo at very high resolution with Synchrotron microCT will be processed to evaluate the effect of the interventions on the bone modelling (growth) and remodelling (adaptation) at different dimensional scales (cell, tissue and organ). Moreover, biomechanical studies using finite element models and nanoindentation will be performed to evaluate the effect of the treatments on the bone mechanical properties.

Entry Requirements:

Candidates must have a first or upper second-class honours degree or significant research experience. In addition, candidates must be self-motivated, have the ability to think independently, use own initiative, have good communications skills and be well-organised including good time management. Experience in biomechanics and/or image processing would be desirable but not essential.

Enquiries:

Interested candidates should in the first instance contact Dr Enrico Dall’Ara (e.dallara@sheffield.ac.uk)

How to apply:

Please complete a University Postgraduate Research Application form available here: www.shef.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/apply

Please clearly state the prospective main supervisor in the respective box and select Oncology and Metabolism as the department.

Proposed start date: 1 October 2023