New insights into cartilage degradation: Towards improved methodologies for diagnosis of osteoarthritis

Magnetic resonance micro-imaging and infrared spectroscopic studies of cartilage degradation during development of osteoarthritis.



Funding year: 2005



Amount funded: $26,000



Lead researcher:
Professor Ross Crawford, Chair Orthopaedic Research, The Prince Charles Hospital



Research team:
Dr Roger Meder, Brisbane
Associate Professor Adekunle Oloyede, Brisbane 
Dr Edeline Wentrup-Byrne, Brisbane 



Location of research:
Queensland University of Technology



Project description:
More than 3 million Australians are affected by arthritis, with 5 percent of the population taking medication while 2 percent suffer severe disability. A multi-disciplinary approach will be used to study changes in cartilage during development of osteoarthritis and the effect of these changes on load bearing ability. The results will form the basis for more reliable or less invasive methods of diagnosis. They will also assist in evaluating and refining new approaches to treatment, such as gene therapies, lipid surfactants or tissue implants.