Research summary
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting more than 4 million Canadians. Caused by the breakdown of cartilage in the joints, it can lead to worsening pain, stiffness and loss of mobility. As Canada Research Chair in Musculoskeletal Research, Dr. Frank Beier is studying what drives its progression.
He and his research team are focusing on three connected research themes. One is the role of selected pathways in different subtypes of osteoarthritis and in various joint tissues. They are also exploring links between osteoarthritis and comorbidities, such as Alzheimer’s disease and metabolic diseases. Lastly, they hope to improve treatments, with a focus on sustained drug delivery to joints and gene therapy approaches.