Nitric oxide plays key roles in many biological and pathological reactions. It is currently a subject of intense research, as evidenced by Furchgott, Ignarro and Murad having been awarded the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for discovering how nitric oxide works in the cardiovascular system. This intriguing molecule has a paradoxical nature. Under some circumstances, nitric oxide is crucial for healing and holds great potential for tissue repair. Under other circumstances, nitric oxide plays a major role in executing tissue damage. By gaining a better understanding of the deleterious nature of nitric oxide, it should eventually be possible to limit tissue damage. Our Institute was the first to investigate the role of nitric oxide in tendon healing and fracture healing.

Arthritis

Some scientists in the Orthopaedic Research Institute are investigating the cartilage degradation which occurs in arthritis. Under normal circumstances, nitric oxide and other inflammatory molecules are not produced in joints. During infection and non-infectious inflammation, these molecules are released in joint cartilage by cells of the immune system. As a new approach to the management of arthritis, we are designing and developing new inhibitors of these inflammatory molecules.

Tissue Engineering

Tissue engineering is an emerging science involving the replacement of damaged or missing structures (for instance, cartilage of the meniscus - the shock absorber of the knee). One of our aims is to find new ways to replace damaged cartilage, bone, muscle, and tendon, particularly with small amounts of tissue taken from the same patient and expanded in culture. Another aim is to find and investigate new biological glues for surgical repair. Our Institute has recently worked on a unique glue from an Australian frog.

Tissue engineering also involves gene therapy whereby a missing gene is introduced into cells. The gene-treated cells then express the new protein encoded by the introduced DNA. Our aim is to improve and speed up the healing process of damaged musculoskeletal tissues by selecting and inserting the correct genes needed to enhance repair.

Clinical Research

We have ongoing clinical research projects designed to improve the diagnosis of orthopaedic conditions and to improve the management of musculoskeletal disorders. Our clinical research studies involve the application of new healing and surgical techniques for our orthopaedic patients.