Novel bone remodelling
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An anatomical role for adipocytes in pathological and non-pathological bone formation
IRAS ID
237043
Contact name
Jemma Kerns
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Lancaster University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 1 days
Research summary
Bone is a remarkable tissue that has many roles and functions, in recent years, the adipocytes that sit within bone have become an area of great interest. In recent years interest in adipocytes has grown hugely, moving away from the belief that adipose tissue is an energy store, to showing that adipocytes have a key role in endocrine and metabolic function and dysfunction. Adipocytes have a clear physiological role. However, our preliminary research suggests they also have a role in anatomical function. Little is currently known about adipocytes and the role they play in the maintenance or contribution of the structure of the tissue and those which surround them. The aim of this project is to examine the anatomical role that adipocytes play within the bone matrix. Our previous collaborative research has shown that the adipocytes within bone have more than a physiological effect in the tissue.
This project will examine the exact anatomical role, location and types of adipocytes within the bone marrow cavity. Human joint tissue will be obtained with informed patient consent and ethical approval to enable us to examine the role of marrow adipocytes. This will be done using a combination of histological, immunohistochemical and biochemical techniques to look to categorise their type and quantity relative to age and disease status of an individual. The potential for further roles of adipocytes within the body will be provided on completion of this research.REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
18/NS/0011
Date of REC Opinion
1 Feb 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion