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The role of early trauma on bone microarchitecture and innervation
In this project, the direct and epigenetic effects of early trauma on bone microarchitecture and innervation will be analyzed by microCT, qPCR and immunostaining.
Osteoporosis, which is characterized by a loss in bone mass, a decrease in bone quality and a resulting increase in fracture risk, is one of the most relevant metabolic skeletal diseases, with a high impact on the quality of life of the affected patients, but also on healthcare finances. Recent research was able to demonstrate that chronic psychological stress is a risk factor for osteoporosis, through interference with e.g. the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis and various immune factors. However, it is less clear whether and how early traumatic experiences can affect bone quality over time. In this study, we use a mouse model of early trauma, which has previously been shown to induce epigenetic behavioral and metabolic alterations. Changes in structure, composition and biological marker expression in bones of female and male mice of different ages after exposure to an initial early trauma phase (day 1–14) are analyzed by microCT, qPCR and immunohistochemistry and compared to untreated animals. Later Generations are also analyzed.
Osteoporosis, which is characterized by a loss in bone mass, a decrease in bone quality and a resulting increase in fracture risk, is one of the most relevant metabolic skeletal diseases, with a high impact on the quality of life of the affected patients, but also on healthcare finances. Recent research was able to demonstrate that chronic psychological stress is a risk factor for osteoporosis, through interference with e.g. the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis and various immune factors. However, it is less clear whether and how early traumatic experiences can affect bone quality over time. In this study, we use a mouse model of early trauma, which has previously been shown to induce epigenetic behavioral and metabolic alterations. Changes in structure, composition and biological marker expression in bones of female and male mice of different ages after exposure to an initial early trauma phase (day 1–14) are analyzed by microCT, qPCR and immunohistochemistry and compared to untreated animals. Later Generations are also analyzed.
The goal of this project is to dissect both femur and one vertebra of previously euthanized mice and analyze the bone structure by microCT. Already established masks for automated analysis will have to be adjusted, CT scans will need to be performed, data will need to be extracted, evaluated, summarized and illustrated. The other bone samples will have to be prepared for qPCR and immunostaining. This unpaid project is suitable as a semester project or internship due to the restricted duration that will be needed (i.e. not suitable as a master thesis project).
The goal of this project is to dissect both femur and one vertebra of previously euthanized mice and analyze the bone structure by microCT. Already established masks for automated analysis will have to be adjusted, CT scans will need to be performed, data will need to be extracted, evaluated, summarized and illustrated. The other bone samples will have to be prepared for qPCR and immunostaining. This unpaid project is suitable as a semester project or internship due to the restricted duration that will be needed (i.e. not suitable as a master thesis project).
Karin Wuertz-Kozak, kwuertz@ethz.ch / Institute for Biomechanics, HPP-O12, ETH Zürich / Professorship Karin Wuertz-Kozak
Karin Wuertz-Kozak, kwuertz@ethz.ch / Institute for Biomechanics, HPP-O12, ETH Zürich / Professorship Karin Wuertz-Kozak
Each year the IDEA League offers the students of its partner universities over 180 monthly grants for a short-term research exchange. In general, these grants are awarded based on academic merit. For more information visit http://idealeague.org/student-grant/