Skeletal Biology Structure and Regeneration Study Section – SBSR

Topics

• Molecular and cell biology of bone, cartilage, meniscus, tendon and ligament injury and repair.
• Characterization of the intrinsic capacity of musculoskeletal tissues and joints to repair and regenerate.
• Application of imaging technologies (e.g., MRI, QCT/µCT, PET/CT, ultrasound) for structural characterization of bone, intervertebral disc and joints including cartilage, meniscus, tendon and ligament.
• Gene expression, gene regulation, and gene therapy in injury and repair of musculoskeletal tissues.
• Mechanobiology and biomechanics of bone and joints at the molecular, cellular and  tissue level.
• Mechanisms of musculoskeletal injuries and disorders including degenerative joint diseases (e.g., osteoarthritis, intervertebral disc degeneration, post-traumatic osteoarthritis, temporomandibular joint disorders), bone infection, trauma, and aging.
• Identification of biological and imaging biomarkers for bone and joint diseases primarily in animal models.
• Development and application of strategies to enhance repair of bone and joints.
• Biology and pathology of joint replacement including fixation, osseointegration, wear and loosening.
• Molecular mechanisms of joint pain.

Shared Interests and Overlaps

There are shared interests with Skeletal Biology Development and Disease (SBDD) in the investigation related to bone and cartilage. Grant applications that address the development and fundamental cellular and molecular mechanisms of bone and cartilage may be assigned to SBDD. Applications that address the biomechanical and structural changes related to degenerative bone and joint diseases may be assigned to SBSR.

There are shared interests with Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering (MTE) in the development of strategies to enhance repair of bone, cartilage and joints. Grant applications that are involved in the development of biomaterials and biomimetic scaffolds for tissue engineering, as well as the design of orthopaedic implants may be assigned to MTE. Applications that are involved with the application of biomaterials to enhance the intrinsic capacity of the regeneration of bone, tendon/ligaments and cartilage, gene therapy, as well as the mechanisms of orthopaedic implant loosening, may be assigned to SBSR.

There are shared interests with Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Sciences (MRS) in the areas of biomechanics and kinematics aspects of joint movement, as well as identification of imaging biomarkers for musculoskeletal diseases. Grant applications that focus on modeling and rehabilitative therapeutic interventions to improve spine and joint function, and biomechanics may be assigned to MRS. Applications that focus on animal models to evaluate the efficacy and functional outcomes of cell- and molecular-based therapies on joint movement and to identify biological markers for bone and joint diseases are assigned to [SBSR].

There are shared interests with Oral, Dental and Craniofacial Sciences (ODCS) in the investigation of temporomandibular joint related disorders. Grant applications that focus on mechanisms and biomechanics of mastication may be assigned to ODCS. Applications that focus on biomechanics, osteoarthritis and cartilage biology of temporomandibular joint may be assigned to SBSR.

There are shared interests with Bioengineering, Technology, and Surgical Sciences (BTSS) in the investigation of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Grant applications that focus on the development of functional cellular and tissue-engineered constructs for surgery based interventions may be assigned to BTSS. Applications that focus on the mechanisms underlying the improvement of bone, cartilage and ligament repair and regeneration may be assigned to SBSR. ​