Molecular Regulators in Osteoporosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Molecular Regulators in Osteoporosis
IRAS ID
161628
Contact name
Dong Barraclough
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Osteoporosis is the commonest bone disease worldwide, affecting more than 200 million individuals. The estimated annual cost of osteoporosis in the UK alone is over £2 billion. Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and altered bone quality, which causes fragility and fractures. Its incidence increases with age in both women and men and is usually clinically symptomless until the first bone fracture happens. At present, there is no national screening programme in the UK for bone diseases such as osteoporosis.
Small molecules called microRNAs, discovered by scientists about 20 years ago, have been demonstrated to play a key role in our biological system. However, most studies have been done using experimental model systems in the laboratories. Very few studies have investigated microRNAs as molecular regulators in clinical samples from patients suffering bone diseases. Thus, there is a need to investigate the relevance of microRNAs in a clinical setting.
This research aims to identify small microRNAs associated with osteoporosis using advanced sequencing technology and /or PCR arrays. The identified potential biomarkers will be validated using clinical specimens.
This study will advance our knowledge and help us to understand mechanisms underlying the metabolic disease of bone, osteoporosis, and to generate a potential strategy to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools in the future to improve patients’ healthcare.REC name
East of England - Essex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/EE/0051
Date of REC Opinion
20 Mar 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion