Welcome to Ackert-Bicknell Lab

Genetic Regulation of Bone Mass and Bone Disease: Exploring Bone Formation, Strength, and Musculoskeletal Health

We focus on the genetic regulation of bone mass and the genetic causes of bone disease from the point of view of bone formation and strength.  We use both forward and reverse genetics studies to interrogate the genetic causes of phenotypes critical to understanding bone quality that cannot be readily studied in human populations. These phenotypes of interest include bone composition, bone formation and mineralization by the osteoblast.  In addition, we participate in many human cohort studies aimed at understanding the etiology of musculoskeletal disease wherein we determine the biological function of genes found to be associated with musculoskeletal traits. Lastly, we study the diagnosis of and the consequences of postoperative infection, with an emphasis on an infection associated with spinal instrumentation.