Bone Research Group

Led by Dr Ken Poole, University Lecturer in Metabolic Bone Disease, the Bone Research Group focuses on osteoporotic fragility fractures and osteoarthritis by examining bone structure, shape and biology in health and disease. With experience in range of clinical imaging techniques, the team collaborates closely with the Medical Imaging Group at the Department of Engineering. Together they have pioneered a tool for assessing the 3D structure and shape of cortical bone in vivo called Cortical Bone Mapping (CBM)

The group represents the Division of Rheumatology within the Department of Medicine and the Metabolism, Endocrinology & Bone theme within the Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre. It has been supported by funding from Arthritis Research UK, the Medical Research Council, the Evelyn Trust, the National Osteoporosis Society, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust and the Cambridge NIHR Biomedical Research Centre. It also oversees an HTA licensed laboratory with a full in-house bone histomorphometry service.

Current research activity includes the investigation of the action of anti-resorptive agents on cortical bone, the contribution of cortical and trabecular bone to femoral strength and intravertebral heterogeneity, muscle size and tissue composition characteristics in relation to hip fracture risk, and novel imaging biomarker discovery for hip osteoarthritis. The group is also part of a comprehensive research consortium that aims to improve the bone health in patients with Gaucher disease.