Targeting Mechanisms of Postmenopausal- and Disease-Related Osteoporosis

Bone tissue is a dynamic organ, where minor changes in cellular functions cause severe bone deterioration. Bone mineral density (BMD) changes with age and due to a loss of estrogen after menopause in women. These changes lead to moderately reduced BMD (osteopenia) and severely reduced BMD (osteoporosis). In these cases, the balance between the bone-forming "osteoblasts" and the bone-resorbing "osteoclasts" gets disturbed, causing resorption and, ultimately, bone loss.

Dr. Chandra's Bone Injury and Repair Lab studies the mechanisms that cause uncoupling in the bone remodeling process. The goal is to target uncoupling at different stages to provide better alternatives for osteoporosis treatment. We are working to understand the role of novel pathways in osteoclast function and bone remodeling to target those mechanisms as a treatment for early-stage osteoporosis.