Translational Research to Improve Musculoskeletal Health and Well-Being

Osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and lower back pain are diseases that often affect the elderly. But they are also affecting younger, athletic individuals who have injured themselves and have joint degeneration leading to osteoarthritis much earlier than normal. The research of Sharmila Majumdar, PhD, focuses on these specific diseases. Currently, she is focusing in particular on quantitative musculoskeletal image processing and artificial intelligence applied to the musculoskeletal system. Dr. Majumdar sees her research as translational with the goal of applying methodologies and improvements for clinical use.

Such work involves developing methodologies with which one can look inside the joint without cutting up the joint. Computer methods are used to analyze the biochemistry and structure of joint tissue and find linkages among the structure and composition of the joint tissue with pain, the function of the individual and various disease processes and their progression.

As vice chair of research at the UC San Francisco Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Dr. Majumdar interacts and collaborates regularly with computer scientists and biologists in the development of quantitative imaging techniques. She works with orthopedic surgeons, rheumatologists and radiologists in translating methodologies to clinical practices. You can hear more about her lab’s research and accomplishments in the accompanying video.

Visit the Musculoskeletal RIG web page to learn more about the Musculoskeletal Research Interest Group (RIG) and how these scientists are exploring the structures that support the human body, their role in health, and how to prevent and heal musculoskeletal damage