Andrea Clark

Program

About my research…

My research program aims to identify and characterize signal transduction mechanisms through which chondrocytes detect and respond to mechanical and chemical changes in cartilage. These investigations focus on the role of proteins such as TRPV4, integrin α1β1 and cilia in chondrocyte signal transduction and thus the development of osteoarthritis. To this end we use genetic and surgical models of spontaneous osteoarthritis (with old age) and post-traumatic osteoarthritis (following injury) and harness confocal microscopy, histology, immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and micro-computed tomography technologies to follow the progression of osteoarthritis in a joint.

How my research improveslife…

Through our studies of chondrocyte signal transduction and osteoarthritis we hope to identify novel approaches for improved treatments of osteoarthritis that will relieve the suffering of Canadians living with osteoarthritis.