A recent study by UPF’s BCN MedTech Research Unit has outlined a new computational model that simulates the interactions between the proteins present in joint cells and helps pinpoint the factors that cause osteoarthritis in each patient. The development of this computational model is particularly relevant, given the fact that the factors which produce this disease may be different for each person. Therefore, identifying the specific causes in each case is key to treating osteoarthritis in a more personalised and efficient manner.

This research was divulged in the article “Network-based modelling of mechano-inflammatory chondrocyte regulation in early osteoarthritis”, which was published on 3 February in the journal Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology and written by three researchers from the UPF Department of Information and Communication Technologies’ (DTIC) Barcelona Centre for New Medical Technologies (BCN MedTech). The researchers are Maria Segarra-Queralt, the article’s main author and member of BCN MedTech; Gemma Piella, head of this Research Unit and full DTIC professor; and Jérôme Noailly, coordinator of the Biomechanics and Mechanobiology Area of BCN MedTech and the study’s principal investigator.

Continue reading the full UPF news here.

Reference article:

“Network-based modelling of mechano-inflammatory chondrocyte regulation in early osteoarthritis”

Maria Segarra-Queralt, Gemma Piella and Jérôme Noailly

Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 3 February 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1006066