The Translational Osteoimmunology Lab (TOL) uses a systems biology approach to investigate environmental and behavioral determinants of bone health across the lifespan. Our work is interdisciplinary, using perspectives from exercise physiology, mechanical engineering, immunology, reproductive biology, and evolutionary anthropology.
Osteoporosis impacts over 50% of women and 25% of men over age 50 worldwide, with nearly 37 million new osteoporotic fractures annually (International Osteoporosis Foundation). A 10% increase in bone mass acquisition during adolescence can halve the lifetime risk of fracture and delay the onset of osteoporosis by a decade (Hernandez et al. 2003 Osteoporosis International). The long-term goals of our work in the TOL were developed with the framework that osteoporosis is preventable for the vast majority of people. In this pursuit we are particularly interested in understanding: a) bone mass acquisition during adolescence – a critical period of bone development when over 90% of bone mass accrues; and b) bone loss due to aging of the reproductive and immune systems. We are interested in multiple timescales, ranging from across multiple generations to within weeks, months, and years. Research in the TOL centers on osteoimmunology, or how bone and the immune system interact to impact bone health. Our research can be broadly grouped into the following two main areas:
1. Osteoporosis Pathogenesis:
- Primarily using mouse models to focus on trabecular bone and immune cell-producing bone marrow
- Techniques include micro-computed tomography, flow cytometry, multiplex immunoassay, mechanical testing or finite-element analysis, immunostaining, and others
2. Evolution of the Modern Human Skeleton:
- Using humans – both human ancestors and modern humans (current living and/or recently deceased) – and mouse models (including artificial selection)
- Techniques include micro-computed tomography, flow cytometry, multiplex immunoassay, mechanical testing or finite-element analysis, immunostaining, and others
