Friday, February 7, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Organized by ORS Preclinical Models Section

Many investigators do them or will do them: preclinical studies. Most researchers will learn how to conduct them “on the job”. However, students and trainees may be overwhelmed with all things to know and think about. A basic understanding of preclinical model design and execution is essential for young investigators.

With these ideas in mind, the ORS Preclinical Models Section is excited to offer a NEW half day workshop for investigators at all career stages. The workshop will benefit anyone currently in the field or entering the field of preclinical studies. We aim to teach the basics and some of the tools needed to conduct preclinical research. Beside lectures, questions and discussions will be an integral part of this workshop. All attendees will be encouraged to submit questions or examples to be incorporated into the workshop.

Each session will be 1 hour long with breaks included .

Introduction 
Stephan Zeiter, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ECLAM, AO Research Institute Davos, ORS Preclinical Models Section Chair*

Planning
Stephan Zeiter, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ECLAM, AO Research Institute Davos, ORS Preclinical Models Section Chair*

  • Picking the right model
  • Designing an animal study
  • Choosing appropriate outcome measures
  • Power calculations and statistical analysis

Preparing
Thomas P. Schaer, VMD, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine New Bolton Center*

  • IACUC
  • Logistic
  • Team involvement
  • FDA/ regulatory needs

Conducting and Reporting
Matthew Allen, VetMB, PhD, University of Cambridge*

  • Anesthesia/ analgesia/ euthanasia
  • In vivo assessment
  • Surgery
  • Reporting

Wrap Up/Conclusion

A * indicates ORS Preclinical Models Section members.

Registration

ORS Preclinical Models Sections
Registration is required, but there is no additional fee to attend the workshop.

Non-ORS Preclinical Model Section Members
Registration fee: $75.00 

How do I join an ORS Section?

ORS Members
If you are currently an ORS member, and would like to add a Section membership, please complete the Join an ORS Research Section application.

Not a Current Member of ORS?
Join the ORS and an ORS Section today by completing the online membership application. 

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Saturday, February 8, 1:30 pm – 3:00 PM

Organized by ORS Preclinical Models Section
Organizers: Blaine Christiansen, PhD and Deva Chan, PhD

OA on a compressed timeline. There is emerging interest in compression models of OA that can non-invasively induce joint degeneration in mice and rats using externally-applied mechanical loads to injure the ACL or overload the articular cartilage. These models can be implemented using a variety of methods, and each method has its own advantages, limitations, and technical considerations. The purpose of this workshop is to discuss the development and implementation of compression models of OA, and present common hurdles encountered when using these methods. The three presenters each have considerable expertise with different compression models, giving them unique perspectives on the use of these models in their research. The goal of this workshop is to utilize this experience to provide insight to investigators who are using or are interested in using compression models of OA.

Compression-Induced ACL Injury in Mice
Blaine Christiansen, PhD, University of California Davis

Compression-Induced ACL Injury in Rats
Tristan Maerz, PhD, University of Michigan

Load-Induced OA in Mice
Marjolein van der Meulen, PhD, Cornell University

Workshop Handout

Organized by ORS Industry Engagement Committee
Organizers: Lara Silverman, PhD and Judd Day, PhD

The goal of this session is to understand the application of formal lab quality systems such as ISO 17025 or Good Laboratory Practices and explore how aspects of these systems can be applied to academic labs for studies that support regulatory filings and translational research. Speakers will present an overview of their implementation of lab quality system structures and discuss how they have applied aspects of these systems to their labs to improve productivity, training, data integrity and support translational research. The session seeks to bring together aspects of academia, industry and regulatory requirements to identify best practices towards optimizing scientific studies and achieving approval for human clinical studies.

Introducing the Concept of “Quality” into Academic Labs; Lessons Learned
Michael Jamieson, DRSc, University of Southern California

Laboratory Accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025–One Lab’s Journey
David Spenciner, ScM, MBA, DePuy Mitek

GLP Study Requirements – a CRO and Industry Perspective
Peggy Lalor, PhD, Histion, LLC

Organizers: Ronald Neppl, PhD and Julia Charles, MD, PhD

In healthy individuals, lean muscle accounts for 38 – 54% and 28 – 39% of total body mass, in men and women, respectively. These ranges are quite broad and are dependent upon multiple factors including age, physical activity level, overall health, genetic makeup, and nutritional input. Losses of muscle mass or functionality, whether a consequence of genetic or systemic disease, aging, trauma, or surgical intervention, is a major contributor to impaired mobility and a diminished quality of life. Understanding the genetic factors influencing muscle development and functionality are areas of intense basic biomedical research. This workshop will introduce recent advances in our understanding of muscle biology, including the genetic basis of muscular disease and the molecular regulation of muscle gene expression. Efforts to identify the underlying molecular programs responsible for the progression of muscle disease, as well as targeted molecular interventions, will be discussed.

Molecular Regulation of Muscle Homeostasis and the Progression of Disease
Ronald Neppl, PhD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Genetics of Neuromuscular Diseases
Vandana Gupta, PhD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital

The Role of L-BAIBA in Muscle and Bone Crosstalk with Exercise
Lynda Bonewald, PhD, Indiana University

Collaboration of ANZORS, EORS and AO Foundation
Organizers: Bernd Grimm, PhD and Dominic Thewlis, PhD

Wearable and soon even implantable sensors allow the permanent, unobtrusive and objective assessment of patients to a) digitally transform outcome measurement in clinical trials, b) generate novel, “digital biomarkers” for diagnostics or predictive and preventive screening, and c) to empower patients by feedback and coaching advise in a patient-centric and personalized way. This is particularly relevant in orthopaedics where movement and physical activity behaviour is directly affected by disease and treatment and can now be monitored with body-worn sensors.

Wearable Sensors for Monitoring Patient Outcomes: Possibilities and Overview of Techniques
Bernd Grimm, PhD, Sylvia Lawry Centre-The Human Motion Institute

Clinical Applications and New Insights from Physical Activity and Sleep Monitoring in Orthopedic Patients
Dominic Thewlis, PhD, University of Adelaide

Wearable Sensors to Derive Meaningful Outcomes in Trauma Patients and Frail Elderly at Fall Risk: Review and Goals of the AO Smart Digital Solution Task Force
Benedikt Braun, MD, PhD, Saarland University

Beyond Wearables Sensors: The AO Fracture Monitor as an Implantable Device to Monitor Bone Healing
Manuela Ernst, PhD, AO Research Institute

Sunday, February 9, 1:30 pm – 3:00 PM

Organized by ORS Orthopaedic Implants Section
Organizer: William Mihalko, MD, PhD

There have been several issues raised in the last two decades concerning our current and historically utilized biomaterials in orthopaedics. There is a current need to bring these issues to light so that they can be investigated and solved to further advance the treatments and outcomes for patients. Although we have utilized current biomaterials in orthopaedic surgery for decades there have been several issues raised in the recent past that may be limiting the outcomes of patients. We aim to bring these issues to light in a debate type format to give the attendees a look into the future where issues like corrosion, biofilm formation, and hypersensitivity are no longer a concern in orthopaedics. To advance the education of attendees we will create a town hall discussion format after each side of a topic is presented to advance research in biomaterial science.

Don’t Mess with Success: Traditional Biomaterials are the Best Option in Orthopaedics
Patricia Campbell, PhD, Orthopaedic Institute for Children/UCLA

Out with The Old in with The New; Newer Materials Are Necessary to Improve Outcomes in Orthopaedic Surgery
Steve Kurtz, PhD, Exponent, Inc.

Metallic Oxide Layers are Protective Against Inflammatory Attack
Nadim Hallab, PhD, Rush University

Direct Cellular Corrosion Evidence in Current Orthopaedic Materials
Jeremy Gilbert, PhD, Clemson University

Improving Traditional Biomaterials Will Solve Our Problems
Orhun Muratoglu, PhD, Harvard Medical School

New Materials and Surfaces are Needed to Solve Our Infection Problems
Kenneth Urish, MD, PhD, University of Pittsburgh

Organizers: Georg Duda, PhD and Katharina Schmidt-Bleek, PhD

The research field osteoimmunology has revealed a striking and essential interdependency between bone and immune cells. The possibility of immune modulatory therapeutic approaches has gained interest. However, the sheer diversity and inherent plasticity of immune cells present during the bone healing process accounts for numerous unresolved aspects that are under current research observation. Inflammation is needed to initiate healing, but has to be strictly regulated to stay on the “good” side of the healing influences. In elderly, the ratio of M1:M2 macrophages is skewed and this dysregulation could be responsible for healing problems. CD8 effector T cells negatively influence bone healing, while regulatory T cells enhance healing. Their ratio could be a biomarker for predicting delayed healing. An in depth understanding of the interdependency of the immune and skeletal system can serve as a basis for the development of future immune modulatory treatment strategies.

Harvest the Interdependency of T Cells and Bone – Towards Immune Modulation as a New Therapy Concept
Katharina Schmidt-Bleek, PhD, Julius Wolff Institute, Charite University

Let’s Talk about Crosstalk: MSC-macrophage Communication Early in Bone Healing
Stuart Goodman, MD, PhD, Stanford University

The Effect of Inflammaging on Bone Fracture Healing
Ralph Marcucio, PhD, University of California San Francisco

Workshop Handout

Organized by The Big Data Workgroup of the IFMRS (International Federation of Musculoskeletal Research Societies)
Organizers: Jennifer Westendorf, PhD and Muhammad Farooq Rai, PhD

The ability to analyze individual cells within a tissue or cell population is transforming biology and medicine by allowing for the identification of new cell types and lineages that are present during normal and disease states. This workshop will feature speakers who are using cutting edge technologies to study the epigenome, transcriptome and/or proteome of musculoskeletal tissues at the single cell level. Speakers will review the strengths and limitations of current single cell technologies (scRNA-seq, Cy-ToF, and sci-ATAC-seq) as compared to bulk technologies and summarize how these technologies are advancing our understanding of skeletal development and disease.

Using Single Cell RNA Sequencing to Determine Cellular Heterogeneity and Trajectories of Lineage Specification
Chia-Lung Wu, PhD, Washington University

Exploring the Regulatory Control of Cartilage Development to Understand Skeletal Disease
Terence Capellini, PhD, Harvard University

Single Cell Mass Cytometry (Cytof) Analyses to Map Cellular Heterogeneity in Healthy and Diseased Skeletal Tissues
Nidhi Bhutani, PhD, Stanford University

Workshop Handout

View the workshop recording:

Organized by International Combined Orthopaedic Research Societies (ICORS)
Organizers: Fackson Mwale, PhD and John Antoniou, MD, PhD

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a common cause of back pain. IVD begins early in adult life and may progress slowly for decades until becoming symptomatic and requiring medical intervention. The adult human IVD seems incapable of intrinsic repair and there are currently no proven treatments to prevent, stop or even retard disc degeneration. Fusion is currently the most common surgical treatment of symptomatic disc disease. However, radiographic follow-up studies have revealed that as many as 80% of patients may develop adjacent segment disc degeneration due to altered spine biomechanics. A biological means to treat disc degeneration is therefore desirable. The purpose of the workshop is to look at recent advances and future prospects of disc repair.

Link-N as a Therapeutic Agent to Treat Early Intervertebral Degeneration
Fackson Mwale, PhD, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University

Intervertebral Disc Specific Chemo-Attractants for the Homing of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Into Degenerative IVDS
Mauro Alini, PhD, AO Research Institute

Hunt for Transcriptional Control of Nucleus Pulposus Cells using iPS Cell Technology 
Daisuke Sakai, MD, PhD, Tokai University

Cellular Reprogramming Strategies for Intervertebral Disc Repair
Devina Purmessur, PhD, The Ohio State University

Monday, February 10, 1:30 pm – 3:00 PM

Organized by German Society for Orthopaedics and Trauma (DGOU) and ORS
Organizers: Susanne Graessel, PhD and Henning Madry, MD

Clinical symptoms of OA appear in more than 10% of the world population and affect almost everyone over the age of 65. As a consequence of the increasing longevity and obesity within the western countries, the economic and social burden caused by OA is growing rapidly and substantially influencing the life quality of the affected individuals with enormous costs to the health care system for diagnosis, treatment, sick leave, rehabilitation, and early retirement. For the patients the major problem is disability, resulting from joint tissue destruction and pain. Here, we want to elucidate novel concepts and hypotheses regarding disease progression, which are relevant for understanding underlying molecular mechanisms as a prerequisite for future therapeutic approaches. 

Impact of the Peripheral Nervous System and Its Neuropeptides on OA Pathology 
Susanne Graessel, PhD, University of Regensburg 

Topographic Modeling of Human Osteoarthritis
Henning Madry, MD, Saarland University

The Role of Cytokines and Proteases in OA
Frank Zaucke, PhD, Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Research Unit for Osteoarthritis

Organizers: Lidan You, PhD and Ronald Kwon, PhD

The purpose of this workshop is 1) to explore means by which mechanical and chemical signals are integrated in bone under both physiological and pathological conditions. The presentations will encompass diverse research areas including gap junctional communication, progenitor-vascular interactions, and mechano-chemical signaling in the primary cilium. The panel of speakers comprises ORS members and non-members with diverse expertise. The speakers will provide background to bring participants to a basic level of understanding, as well as present new data. This workshop will establish foundations and facilitate discussion among clinicians, scientists, and engineers on bone mechanotransduction. 2) To honor the memory and scientific legacy of Dr. Chris Jacobs, whose pioneering work had an enormous impact on the orthopaedic research community. While talks will focus on new data, speakers will highlight their past work with Dr. Jacobs, as a means to honor his memory and scientific legacy.

Gap Junctions and Bone Mechanobiology
Henry Donahue, PhD, Virginia Commonwealth University

Progenitor-Vascular Interactions Under Mechanical Loading
Alesha Castillo, PhD, New York University

Mechano-Chemical Signaling in the Primary Cilium 
Tim Stearns, PhD, Stanford University 

Organized by Guest Nation – Australia
Organizers: David Ackland, PhD and Peter Lee, PhD

Recent advances in computer aided engineering and additive manufacturing are transforming treatment of bone and joint conditions through development of personalised implants and surgeries. Small and medium enterprises often lack resources for research and development of medical implants, with few established pathways to assist them with understanding the regulatory environment critical to their success. The purpose of this workshop will be to:1. Evaluate bottle-necks in current development and commercialisation pathways for personalised implant technologies2. Determine knowledge and technology required for rigorous development and evaluation of pre-clinical and clinical test methods, personalised medical implants and decision support tools 3. Establish a framework or methodology to support the use, and increase the rate of success, of personalised implant technologies.

A Multidisciplinary Platform for the Development of Personalised Medical Implant Technologies
Peter Lee, PhD, University of Melbourne

Measurement and Modeling Strategies for Innovative Implant Solutions
Mark Taylor, PhD, Flinders University

Implant Integration and Prevention of Implant Infection Through Modelling, Manufacture and Development of Novel Biomaterials and Tissue Engineered Constructs
Hala Zreiqat, PhD, The University of Sydney

Innovative Approaches for Intra and Post-Operative Management of Implant Recipients and Evaluation of Clinical Outcomes of Novel Implant Surgeries
Bogdan Solomon, PhD, Adelaide Medical School

Organizers: Bingyun Li, PhD and Jessica A. Jennings, PhD

Nanomedicine offers the potential for new and better treatments for various applications, and may revolutionize the way we detect and treat musculoskeletal diseases. Nanomedicine may be applied in tissue engineering, wound healing, infectious diseases, antibiotic resistance, tumor, etc. This workshop will present the recent advances and breakthroughs of nanomedicine in treating musculoskeletal diseases.

Nanobioengineering in Musculoskeletal Research
Yi-Xian Qin, PhD, Stony Brook University

Nanomaterials and Regenerative Engineering
Yusuf Khan, PhD, University of Connecticut Health Center

Surface Nanotopography as a Regulator of Cell Response
Barbara D. Boyan, PhD, Virginia Commonwealth University

Nanomedicine for Musculoskeletal Infection Treatment
Bingyun Li, PhD, University of West Virginia