Understanding Bone Strength and Fracture Risk
Roles of Collagen and Water in the Fracture Resistance of Bone
This project aims to understand how changes in bone tissue, especially collagen, affect bone strength and increase the risk of fractures as people get older or develop bone diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11090438 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We want to learn why bones become weaker and more prone to breaks, particularly in the hip, spine, and shoulder, as people age or develop conditions like osteoporosis. Our focus is on changes in the bone's structure, specifically how collagen, a key protein, and water contribute to its ability to resist fractures. We are looking at specific chemical changes in collagen that might make bones more fragile. By studying bone samples from human donors, we hope to identify these changes and understand how they lead to a higher risk of fractures.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve living patients but aims to benefit individuals at risk for age-related or disease-related bone fractures, such as those with osteoporosis.
Not a fit: Patients not at risk for bone fractures or those with bone conditions unrelated to collagen and water changes may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent costly fractures by better understanding the underlying causes of bone weakness.
How similar studies have performed: While the role of collagen and water in bone strength is known, this project explores specific non-enzymatic modifications as key contributors to fracture risk, which is a less understood area.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, United States
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nyman, Jeffry Stephen — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Nyman, Jeffry Stephen
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.