Bone Regulation
The hallmark of osteoporosis is a reduction in bone density and therefore strength. It is caused by an imbalance between bone formation and bone loss. At least 20-30 genes are involved in bone health, but because of the complexity of bone, they are likely to be regulated independently and interdependently. Our group is, primarily, investigating the role of the brain hormones neuropeptide Y and leptin, which influence bone formation and strength. Much of work makes use of transgenic mouse models and is carried out in collaboration with researchers in the Neuroscience Program.
Staff
 Research OfficerFrank Driessler |
 Research AssistantRonaldo Enriquez |
 Postgraduate StudentAyse Zengin |
 Postgraduate StudentIris Wong |
News
We now know that the brain controls the formation of bone
MEDIA RELEASE:
22 Dec 2009
New findings show that bone formation, far from being a straightforward mechanical process dependent on body weight, is delicately orchestrated by the brain, which sends and receives signals through the body’s neural and hormone systems.
