Research summary
Osteoarthritis is a disease that occurs when joint structures, including the cartilage that protects the ends of bones, are damaged due to trauma or other causes, including genetic factors. It often leads to chronic pain and disability for those who develop it, and places a significant socio-economic burden on the Canadian health-care system.
Dr. Matthew Grol, Canada Research Chair in Musculoskeletal Biology and Health, is investigating the roles that inflammation and tendon or ligament pathobiology play in the progression of osteoarthritis. He and his research team are exploring gene therapy strategies—an emerging and still understudied approach in bone and joint diseases—to stop the disease and its associated symptoms from progressing.