Hormone and Genetic Regulation in Human Disease
Musculoskeletal disorders affecting the bones and joints are a growing health problem. Skeletal birth defects and dysplasias often cause significant physical stigmata and medical complications. In adults, osteoporosis, chronic joint symptoms, arthritis, and fractures lead to significant morbidity. Unfortunately, our ability to effectively prevent or treat any of these skeletal diseases is rudimentary.
Our lab uses the skeletal system as a basis for understanding how hormonal, genetic, and environmental factors drive human musculoskeletal development and disease. By using a wide spectrum of approaches, we hope to develop a broader understanding of the biology underlying skeletal growth and repair, develop new models for studying disease pathology, and devise novel therapeutic approaches for treating human skeletal disorders and bone injuries.