Joint & Bone Initiative

Primary Objectives

Understanding Bone & Joint Diseases

arthritic hands
  • BJI members are focused on understanding the initiation and progression of joint degeneration, bone loss, the role of abnormal biomechanics, and learning more about how cells respond to their local mechanical environment disciplines
  • For example, the coordinated activity of cell and molecular biologists, engineers, and clinical investigators brings together studies in cell cultures, animal models, and clinical populations.

Innovating in Diagnosis & Evaluation

  • gait lab sensors
  • Green cells
  • Striving to develop sophisticated magnetic-resonance imaging techniques, micro-computed tomography, and radiographic analysis systems, as well as new strategies to prevent the onset and progression of various MSK conditions, BJI investigators integrate their expertise and state-of the-art facilities
  • This critical mass of research expertise presents a unique opportunity to combine:
    • advanced imaging technologies
    • new contrast agents
    • biochemical/genetic markers
    • patient-reported and performance-based measures of pain and function
    • forensic methodologies and anthropological investigations

Developing & Evaluating New Therapies

  • arthritic hands
  • Green cells
  • Green cells
  • New biologics and pharmaceuticals, novel scaffolds for tissue regeneration, innovative joint replacement components, and next-generation rehabilitative and assistive devices are envisioned to:
    • enhance bone growth
    • encourage implant integration
    • improve recovery from trauma and surgery
    • effectively evaluate outcomes
  • Crucial to meeting this objective is the integration of BJI experts in:
    • injury prevention
    • lifestyle changes
    • work modifications
    • diet and exercise
    • basic sciences (chemistry, materials, cell and molecular biology)
    • orthopaedic surgery
    • mechanical and biomedical engineering
    • stem cell biology
    • imaging sciences
    • occupational and physical therapy

Influencing Key Knowledge Users

knowledge users lab
  • Productive partnerships to facilitates the translation of new research knowledge to real-world applications are key:
    • WORLDiscoveries®
    • the Ivey International Centre for Health Innovation
    • the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
    • industry partners
    • community groups such as The Arthritis Society and the London Medical Innovation and Commercialization Network
  • Examples include the transfer of technology to industry, and the effective use of research findings in education, clinical practice, and health policy

Objectives collage