Professor Graham Williams

Hormone regulation of bone

Osteoporosis is characterized by reduced bone mass and fracture, and represents a major public health burden affecting over 40% of women and costing the NHS £1.7 billion per annum. Bone strength and fracture susceptibility are determined by acquisition of peak bone mass during development and the rate of bone loss in adulthood. The Molecular Endocrinology Group uses state-of-the-art Cre/lox gene targeting strategies to generate mutant mouse models in which hormone signalling is disrupted in discrete bone cell lineages. We use digital X-ray analysis, dynamic histomorphometry, back-scattered electron scanning electron microscopy and laser scanning confocal microscopy, as well as molecular biological approaches, to investigate mechanisms underlying hormone control of skeletal development and bone maintenance. These studies will provide new mechanistic understanding of bone formation and bone loss that will underpin identification of novel drug targets for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

The clinical specialty relevant to: Endocrinology, metabolic medicine, rheumatology, orthopaedics.

Further Information
http://www1.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/people/graham.williams/

Contact Details
graham.williams@imperial.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)208 383 1383