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Dr. Bonewald is Director of the Bone Biology Research Program. This program is composed of bone biologists with specific and unique skills that together compose a comprehensive team for the study of mineralized tissues. Dr. Mark Johnson is the discoverer of the high bone mass gene, Lrp5. Dr. Jian Feng studies a gene known as Dentin Matrix Protein 1, DMP1. Dr. Jeff Gorski and Dr. Sarah Dallas are experts in bone matrix, its components and functions. Dr. Shiva Kotha is a bioengineer who studies the effects of loading on the skeleton and directs the Mechanical Strain Core. The technology available for the study of mineralized tissues include genomics, proteomics, transgenic mice, dynamic imaging, bone analysis for properties such as density, hardness, strength, and histomorphometry for analysis of both bone and bone cells. 3D microscopy, applications of mechanical strain, both in vitro and in vivo, are established among other technologies. The goal of the program is to approach important issues in bone and tooth development, physiology, and disease from basic experiments to clinical research. In vitro approaches are first necessary to properly design transgenic approaches which are essential before clinical trials. All three components, basic, translational and clinical research, are essential for translating findings into prevention of disease and treatment in the clinic. For details concerning the personal research studies of each faculty member, visit their websites or contact them by email.
Bone Biology Research Team
Lynda F. Bonewald, Curators’ Professor and Lefkowitz Professor, is the Director of the Bone Biology Program and oversees the Histomorphometry and Image Analysis Cores. Research Focus: on the effects of mechanical strain on osteocyte biology. 5-Lipoxygenase, Transforming Growth Factor beta. (bonewaldl@umkc.edu)
Dr. Mark Johnson, Professor, Chair of IACUC. Research Focus: the role of the high bone mass gene Lrp5 in bone formation and regulation by mechanical strain. (johnsonmark@umkc.edu)
Sarah Dallas, Associate Professor, is the Director of the Dynamic Imaging Laboratory. Research Focus: the role of the latent transforming beta binding protein in bone extracellular matrix and in tumor metastasis to bone. (dallass@umkc.edu)
Jian (Jerry) Feng, Associate Professor, is the Director of the Gene Targeting Facility. Research Focus: the role and potential function of Dentin Matrix Protein in bone and tooth development. (fengj@umkc.edu)
Jeff Gorski, Associate Professor, is the Director of the Laser Capture Microdissection Microscopy Facility. Research Focus: extracellular matrix protein, specifically, BAG-75 and bone formation in the marrow ablation model. (gorskij@umkc.edu)
For training opportunities in the Bone Biology Program contact Dr. Bonewald or see Educational Opportunities on the homepage. For information on the Oral Biology Seminar Series click here.
The Bone Biology Program collaborates and integrates research goals with the Biomaterials and Engineering Components of the Department of Oral Biology. These investigators include Dr. David Eick, the Chair of Oral Biology, and Drs. Paulette Spencer, Lawrence Katz, John Purk, Mary Walker, and Chuanyi Wang who are experts in Biomaterials and their analyses. For more information concerning research in these areas click Biomaterials/Bioengineering Program.
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