Dr. Roessler has a broad-based research program that is exploring many facets of chondrocyte (cartilage cell) biology. One project is exploring the role of intra-articular adipocytes (fat cells) and adipokines on chondrocyte biology and extracellular matrix structure. The goal of this project is to identify molecular mechanisms associated with early osteoarthritis that may be targets for drug discovery. In another area of study Dr. Roessler and collaborators are exploring the use of Raman spectroscopy to identify early structural changes in extracellular matrix components of cartilage and bone that may function as diagnostic biomarkers. Dr. Roessler also has an ongoing interest in operational engineering of clinical research systems and clinical research applications of cell and gene therapy.
