Arthritis UK Centre for Osteoarthritis Pathogenesis

Improving our understanding of why osteoarthritis develops

To date, studies of osteoarthritis have largely been limited to investigating the processes occurring in late disease. This centre is based at the University of Oxford and their research aims to improve our understanding of why osteoarthritis develops. Centre researchers focus on identifying novel disease targets, including markers which can be used for predicting disease development and progression, and creating new imaging techniques for diagnosing disease early.

This centre first opened in 2013 and was renewed for a second term of five years in 2018. The centre is in its ‘Impact’ phase until 2028.

Biomechanics and Bioengineering Research Centre

Arthritis UK Biomechanics and Bioengineering Research Centre Impact Report

For many years, we’ve known that mechanical loading and inflammation contribute to osteoarthritis but the biological processes that link these factors were unknown. The impact of joint injury and joint surgery on our biomechanics and biology, and subtleties in gait or alignment that could contribute to long-term disease, was also unclear. Until now.

Read the report