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Joint MRes/PhD studentship at one of the leading MRC/UK Research Centres
Statistical anatomical atlases for objective assessment of ageing and post-intervention bone turnover from DXA
CIMA Non-Clinical MRes/PhD Studentship in Musculoskeletal Ageing
The MRC - Arthritis Research UK Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing (CIMA) is a collaboration between the Universities of Liverpool, Newcastle and Sheffield. The aim of the centre is to understand the processes and effects of ageing in tissues of the musculoskeletal system leading to osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and muscle weakness, how ageing contributes to disease and how this can be treated or prevented.
The following studentship based at Sheffield University is currently available for September 2013 start:
Statistical anatomical atlases for objective assessment of ageing and post-intervention bone turnover from DXA
Background:
Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the clinical standard method for measuring proximal femoral bone mineral density (BMD), but formal mathematical methods are needed to fully utilise the quantitative information contained within the acquisition. Bone mineral distribution is a critical function of bone strength and changes during ageing, affecting bone strength independent of BMD. We have applied techniques from computational statistical anatomy to derive statistical significance maps (p-maps) without resourcing to prior knowledge on where significant statistical events are to be expected.
This enables achieving the identification of statistical differences of BMD at a resolution of approximately 1mm. To date, we have applied this to measurement of remodelling events around joint prostheses and demonstrated its ability to discriminate spatial events data. Here we aim to develop and apply the tool to the assessment of age and intervention-related bone turnover events and to extend the concept to three-dimensional data, including how to reconstruct 3D shape-and-BMD models based on 2D DXA images.
Hypothesis:
Validation and application of statistical computational atlases to access and interpret the spatial statistical information within CIMA DXA cohorts will provide a novel, economic, high-resolution imaging tool to study age-related changes in bone distribution and response to intervention and enhance the value of the technology to predict age-related adverse events (fracture).
Aims and Objectives:
The overall aim is to establish new insights into the architectural aspects of proximal femoral BMD change events with ageing and in response to interventions using novel computerised techniques. The specific objectives are to:
1) Develop and validate a method for statistical inference of regions with significant BMD changes and quantify it’s accuracy and precision
2) Quantitate site-specific and statistically significant changes in proximal femoral bone mineral distribution associated with ageing
3) Relate fracture pattern to proximal femoral BMD statistical distribution and biomechanical parameters using finite element techniques
4) Quantitate the ability of the proposed method to predict age-related fracture risk and fracture pattern.
5) Examine the site-specific effects of different therapeutic modalities used to treat age-related bone loss and modulate fracture risk
6) Explore whether the same principle may be applied to study regional variation in body composition by DXA.
Entry Requirements:
Candidates must have a first or upper second class honours degree or significant research experience preferably with majors in Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Engineering, Physics or Mathematics.
The ideal candidate will not only have a strong technical background but will also have a dual degree or minor in biology or biological sciences as well as willingness to engage in an interdisciplinary project and complement her/his training with a biologically-oriented MRes program prior to her/his PhD. Alternatively, candidates with a major in Biomedical Sciences and a strong scientific programming track record in C++ will be welcome.
Interested candidates should in the first instance contact:
Prof Mark Wilkinson (j.m.wilkinson@sheffield.ac.uk ) or
Prof Alejandro Frangi ( a.frangi@sheffield.ac.uk )
The closing date for applications is Friday 2nd August 2013
To apply, complete the application form at http://cimatraining.group.shef.ac.uk/opportunities/ and return topgr@cimauk.org
Funding Notes:
Students should have home or EU student status: studentships for UK applicants comprise tuition fees, research support costs and a tax-free stipend at the Research Council rate, while EU applicants may be eligible for a full award if they have been ordinarily resident in the UK for 3 years preceding the date of application.
More info
Statistical anatomical atlases for objective assessment of ageing and post-intervention bone turnover from DXA
CIMA Non-Clinical MRes/PhD Studentship in Musculoskeletal Ageing
The MRC - Arthritis Research UK Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing (CIMA) is a collaboration between the Universities of Liverpool, Newcastle and Sheffield. The aim of the centre is to understand the processes and effects of ageing in tissues of the musculoskeletal system leading to osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and muscle weakness, how ageing contributes to disease and how this can be treated or prevented.
The following studentship based at Sheffield University is currently available for September 2013 start:
Statistical anatomical atlases for objective assessment of ageing and post-intervention bone turnover from DXA
Background:
Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the clinical standard method for measuring proximal femoral bone mineral density (BMD), but formal mathematical methods are needed to fully utilise the quantitative information contained within the acquisition. Bone mineral distribution is a critical function of bone strength and changes during ageing, affecting bone strength independent of BMD. We have applied techniques from computational statistical anatomy to derive statistical significance maps (p-maps) without resourcing to prior knowledge on where significant statistical events are to be expected.
This enables achieving the identification of statistical differences of BMD at a resolution of approximately 1mm. To date, we have applied this to measurement of remodelling events around joint prostheses and demonstrated its ability to discriminate spatial events data. Here we aim to develop and apply the tool to the assessment of age and intervention-related bone turnover events and to extend the concept to three-dimensional data, including how to reconstruct 3D shape-and-BMD models based on 2D DXA images.
Hypothesis:
Validation and application of statistical computational atlases to access and interpret the spatial statistical information within CIMA DXA cohorts will provide a novel, economic, high-resolution imaging tool to study age-related changes in bone distribution and response to intervention and enhance the value of the technology to predict age-related adverse events (fracture).
Aims and Objectives:
The overall aim is to establish new insights into the architectural aspects of proximal femoral BMD change events with ageing and in response to interventions using novel computerised techniques. The specific objectives are to:
1) Develop and validate a method for statistical inference of regions with significant BMD changes and quantify it’s accuracy and precision
2) Quantitate site-specific and statistically significant changes in proximal femoral bone mineral distribution associated with ageing
3) Relate fracture pattern to proximal femoral BMD statistical distribution and biomechanical parameters using finite element techniques
4) Quantitate the ability of the proposed method to predict age-related fracture risk and fracture pattern.
5) Examine the site-specific effects of different therapeutic modalities used to treat age-related bone loss and modulate fracture risk
6) Explore whether the same principle may be applied to study regional variation in body composition by DXA.
Entry Requirements:
Candidates must have a first or upper second class honours degree or significant research experience preferably with majors in Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Engineering, Physics or Mathematics.
The ideal candidate will not only have a strong technical background but will also have a dual degree or minor in biology or biological sciences as well as willingness to engage in an interdisciplinary project and complement her/his training with a biologically-oriented MRes program prior to her/his PhD. Alternatively, candidates with a major in Biomedical Sciences and a strong scientific programming track record in C++ will be welcome.
Interested candidates should in the first instance contact:
Prof Mark Wilkinson (j.m.wilkinson@sheffield.ac.uk ) or
Prof Alejandro Frangi ( a.frangi@sheffield.ac.uk )
The closing date for applications is Friday 2nd August 2013
To apply, complete the application form at http://cimatraining.group.shef.ac.uk/opportunities/ and return topgr@cimauk.org
Funding Notes:
Students should have home or EU student status: studentships for UK applicants comprise tuition fees, research support costs and a tax-free stipend at the Research Council rate, while EU applicants may be eligible for a full award if they have been ordinarily resident in the UK for 3 years preceding the date of application.
More info
