Using light to explore the skeleton as it ages
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Development of the skeleton and what it tells us about mineralisation and disease
IRAS ID
259183
Contact name
Jemma Kerns
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Lancaster University
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
There is an international clinical need for improved bone diagnostic technologies. The majority currently available are X-ray based, and while provide informative images, are lacking in providing information relating to bone chemistry and disease. Bone is composed of ~60-70% mineral, which is detectable with X-rays, ~30-40% protein (collagen) and ~10% water. Collagen is very important in ensuring the skeleton is tough and contributes more than its proportional content to the mechanical properties of bone. The clinical need is the development of technologies capable of being used in a clinical setting to diagnose and monitor diseases, including monitoring treatment. There are two emerging bone diagnostic technologies, which are in the translational phase of development: spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) and reference point indentation (Active Life Scientific).
While X-ray based technologies are available to measure macroscopic mineral content of bone, only Raman spectroscopy is able to measure total and proportion of mineral and protein in bone at microscopic scales in a clinical setting3,4,5. However, variables such as age, gender and puberty make translation into children complex. In particular, changes in mineralisation, and therefore material properties, are difficult to discern between ageing and disease. This is an international need. A main benefit of SORS is that it is non-invasive and does not use ionising radiation. Therefore, as well as potentially providing more information about bone disease, it is also safer.
This study aims to establish baseline measurements, from ex vivo samples, for these factors from healthy and diseased children aged 5-18 years. No additional bone will be taken, instead we will collect bone which would otherwise be discarded following surgery on children who have undergone surgery for a variety of reasons including trauma and to correct skeletal deformities.
We will use the lab based version of SORS, which is Raman microspectroscopy (instrument on campus) to measure the chemistry of the bone to establish changes due to age and disease. This information will be shared with Active Life Scientific, who have developed a clinical tool for measuring the material properties of bone, which are known to correlate to Raman spectral data. We will work closely with Dr Raja Padidela, a Consultant at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, who will provide clinical input and access to patient samples. Dr Padidela and his team are research active and have a special interest in research to improve child health.
This technology is applicable to healthcare worldwide and, as such, will support a clinical need, globally, to address diagnosis and treatment of bone conditions.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/NW/0595
Date of REC Opinion
26 Sep 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion