Look into the Future

Musculoskeletal Disorders

Research Opportunity		Forecast
Determine the genes and proteins required for bone and cartilage development, maturation, and regeneration		Early diagnosis and prevention of congenital deformities Targeted therapies for osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and other musculoskeletal abnormalities Treatment for genetic diseases of bone, cartilage, ligament, and tendon Repair of injured cartilage, bone, ligament, and tendon
Discover the genetic bases of complex musculoskeletal diseases including the pathways involved		Gene, small molecule, and/or targeted protein therapies for prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions
Develop methodologies to control the proliferation, phenotype expression, and transplantation of musculoskeletal progenitor cells		Cell transplantation for repair of musculoskeletal injuries Cell transplantation for repair of damaged tissues Use of cells and enzymes or enzyme inhibitors for targeted gene therapy
Establish methodologies to "engineer" bone, cartilage, ligament, disk, and tendon, and their interfaces		Long-lasting biologic repair of diseased and damaged tissue Combined use of biologics and metal implants
Develop in situ imaging techniques that provide molecular or cytogenetic information		Improved diagnoses, development of cell-targeted therapies, better selection of treatment modalities and drug delivery systems

Author: Adele L. Boskey, PhD, Hospital for Special Surgery, and Weill (Cornell University) Medical College and Graduate School of Medical Sciences