Richard Abel

Biography

Richie Abel joined the Department of Surgery and Cancer in December 2010. Richie is interested in studying bone quality, with particular regard to tissue development and senescence. The general aim is to improve the diagnosis and measurement of treatment outcomes for metabolic bone diseases. Research Bisphosphonates are used to treat osteoporosis and are effective at reducing the risk of fracture by suppressing bone resorption and increasing bone strength. However, the use of bisphosphonates for managing osteoporosis remains a clinical challenge, including patient selection and adherence. Our recent research published in the Nature Journal Scientific Reports reveals that in some patients long-term treatment with the frontline therapy for osteoporosis (bisphosphonate) might actually weaken bones. Read about it on The Guardian and The BBC. Richie is researching bone quality: the material and structural basis for bone quality. Current research includes developing novel metrics for bone quality by measuring structural, metabolic, material and mechanical properties. Developing state of the art 3D imaging techniques such as clinical-, micro- and synchrotron-CT to visualise the hierarchical structure of bone at the gross, micron and submicron levels respectively. Applying serum blood analysis to measure bone formation and resorption. As well as mechanically testing bone samples to measure mechanical properties (e.g. strength, stiffness and fracture toughness).

Research Interest

bone diseases