Articular cartilage is an amazing tissue which facilitates smooth and pain free movement over a lifetime. Articular cartilage is avascular, aneural and alymphatic. It has a complex zonal structure and composition, which provides it with its functional properties (low-friction, ability to sustain high loads) and longevity. In our ERC Consolidator Grant funded-research, we aim to understand how articular cartilage attains its complex zonal structure and composition over postnatal development. In particular we are exploring how mechanical loading regulates the emergence of cartilage zones over postnatal development. We are also fascinated by maturation and mechanoregulation of the physis.

When mature cartilage breaks down or degrades, it has a limited healing capacity. We are investigating how and why immature articular cartilage heals, while mature cartilage does not. The research is a close collaboration with Prof Pieter Brama and is funded by Research Ireland.