Skeletal biology research at the RVC consists of several inter-related research groups united by a common objective, to understand skeletal biology in health and disease.

Current areas of focus include osteoarthritis, bone pain, diabetes and bone, vascular calcification, tendon repair and regeneration, bone scaling and bio-mechanical skeletal interface.  Experimental approaches established within skeletal biology include primary bone and vascular cell culture, molecular biology, microscopy, microCT and in vivo models of mechano-adaptive response and disease.

Main research areas and lead researchers:

• Bone and Joint Mechanobiology (Andy Pitsillides)
• Bone Metabolism and Repair  (Chantal Chenu)
• Bone biology, Biomineralisation and Purinergic Signalling (Isabel Orriss)
• Bone Imaging and Modelling (Michael Doube)
• Tendon Mechanobiology (Chavaunne Thorpe)

Research within skeletal biology is currently funded by the Wellcome Trust, BBSRC, British Heart Foundation, EU, EPSRC, Arthritis Research UK, the Leverhulme trust and commercial contracts.