Pain mechanisms in osteoarthritis

Our lab uses a variety of molecular, cellular and behavioural techniques to determine mechanisms of osteoarthritis pathogenesis and pain, using both mouse and naked mole-rat as model organisms. We are particularly interested in studying cell-cell interactions, for example identifying signalling pathways between fibroblast-like synoviocytes and knee-innervating neurons, using a combination of electrophysiology and behavioural assays. Past work has included the use of viral based modulation of neuronal function (i.e. chemogenetics), as well as exploring how mesenchymal stem cells modulate pain in osteoarthritis.