RESEARCH MODULE 
Endocrine Bone Laboratory
Studies in our laboratory have focussed on characterising dietary and hormonal factors influencing bone structure and strength particularly as related to osteoporosis. In particular, we are interested on the contribution of vitamin D status to bone structure and cellular proliferation and maturation. We have consequently developed rodent models of vitamin D depletion to study changes to bone structure and bone cell activity. We have also developed and obtained a number of knock-out and transgenic mouse models to study the roles of direct vitamin D activity and metabolism within the skeleton. These models have been used successfully and been the subject of numerous publications and NHMRC project grants. Collaborations with clinicians have allowed the laboratory to participate in clinical studies to develop and test hypothesises arising from the animal model work. This work has integrated biochemical, hormonal, and dietary interactions with quantification of skeletal structure, strength and bone cell activities including molecular signalling.
Our current studies on bone structure have quantified the vitamin D requirement for an optimal skeleton. This information can be used by clinicians in recommending an appropriate vitamin D status to patients. We have also shown that that bone is capable of producing active vitamin D and we propose that this activity within the skeleton is crucial for maintaining bone health. We are currently examining the role for a direct effect of vitamin D synthesis in bone cells using both in in vitro and in vivo experiments. We have obtained and are currently using mouse models for Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) activity. These include the VDR-KO mouse and the OSVDR mouse. We are currently preparing 3 other VDR-related mouse models which will all be used to address specific questions regarding the role of VDR-mediated activity in osteoblasts and osteocytes.
PROJECTS
What is the effect of aging on vitamin D and calcium requirements? Does the vitamin D requirement change with varying dietary calcium intake?We aim to det
Is a diet containing high levels of calcium, phosphate and lactose insufficient to prevent osteopenia in adult VDRKO mice? If so, when and why does the bone los
Can over-expression of VDR in mature osteoblasts lower the requirement for vitamin D and calcium for skeletal heath?We have obtained the osteoblast-sp
What is the role of local production of active vitamin D in bone cells in vitro? To specifically investigate the role of local production of vitamin D in t
