Lancaster University Secures £1.5 Million for Innovative Bone Disorder Tool

Lancaster University has received a funding award of £1.5 million from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to develop a groundbreaking tool aimed at diagnosing bone disorders within community settings. This innovative technology will utilize laser-based techniques to measure bone chemistry, offering a safe and effective means to predict and identify various bone-related conditions before they progress.

The project is spearheaded by Dr. Jemma Kerns, who will collaborate with individuals experiencing musculoskeletal conditions and healthcare professionals to ensure the tool’s design and functionality meet real-world needs. The device will be portable, making it adaptable for use in a variety of locations, including general practitioner surgeries, pharmacies, community centres, and leisure facilities. This accessibility aims to enhance healthcare delivery while decreasing reliance on hospital visits.

Transforming Diagnosis and Treatment

Professor Charlotte Deane, Executive Chair of EPSRC, emphasized the importance of early diagnosis in improving health outcomes. She stated, “Diagnosing health conditions early and in a way that works for people’s everyday lives is vital. By enabling care closer to home as well as earlier intervention, this will help shift the system from treatment to prevention, improve outcomes, tackle health inequalities and ease pressure on hospitals.”

Statistics reveal that approximately one third of adults in the UK suffer from musculoskeletal conditions, which are the leading cause of disability, sick leave, and premature retirement. Living with these disabilities often correlates with health disparities and contributes significantly to reduced life expectancy. The new tool will not only aid in the early diagnosis of genetic and age-related musculoskeletal conditions but will also allow for monitoring changes over time in individual patients.

Dr. Kerns highlighted the potential for this technology to maximize long-term health benefits for individuals, noting that early diagnosis could significantly reduce treatment costs and lessen the burden on the National Health Service (NHS).

A Safe and Portable Solution

The project involves adapting an existing prototype into a more versatile and robust design. The proposed device will employ the SORS (spatially offset Raman spectroscopy) technique, which uses laser light to assess bone health through the skin. Unlike traditional X-ray methods, this approach does not involve ionizing radiation, making it safe for repeated use on both adults and children.

Dr. Kerns described the development of this portable technology as a significant advancement in the management of musculoskeletal conditions. She remarked, “Establishing this new portable technology will be a game changer for musculoskeletal management and will pave the way for other conditions, such as bone and breast cancers, to be more readily diagnosed and treated.”

The research team includes esteemed professionals from multiple institutions, such as Dr. Amy Saunders, Dr. Leonie Unterholzner, Dr. Olaug Grude, and Dr. Claire Mann from Lancaster University, as well as experts from University College London and University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust.

Professor Marwan Bukhari, a Consultant Rheumatologist at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust and Honorary Clinical Professor at Lancaster University, expressed optimism about the project’s impact. He stated, “This tool could significantly improve early diagnosis and long-term outcomes for patients as well as easing the burden on hospital services by preventing fractures.”

The team remembers the late Professor Allen Goodship from University College London, whose contributions were instrumental in the project’s development.

With this funding and innovative approach, Lancaster University is positioned to revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of bone disorders, ultimately improving healthcare accessibility and outcomes for patients across the community.