My research focuses on the translational study of the onset and progression of osteoarthritis. My long-term research goal is to use biomarkers of osteoarthritis as a means to establish early diagnosis of osteoarthritis and identify therapies that will slow its progression. Biomarkers are metabolic by-products of either newly formed or recently broken down components of the joint. They can be measured in joint fluid, blood and/or urine. I have also combined this technology with clinical measures of how horses bear weight when they have osteoarthritis. This is done via the use of a force plate. Results that can be obtained combining these types of clinical and bench-top research can be used to help animals and humans with osteoarthritis.
