Joint Action

• In Memoriam: Prof Frank Beier - new insights into osteoarthritis onset (2021)

  This week's episode is in honour of Frank Beier, who recently passed away on July 18, 2025. Frank leaves behind a remarkable legacy through the impact he made in the field of osteoarthritis. In this previous episode (2021), he discussed the recent advances in osteoarthritis understanding with a particular emphasis on novel targets and epigenetics.Despite the large prevalence of osteoarthritis, there is no clinically approved drug which provides a cure. Currently, drugs focus on relieving symptoms such as pain. Experiments done in the laboratory have provided insight on osteoarthritis onset and progression and will likely guide therapeutic development. We know that osteoarthritis is a disease of the whole organ meaning that any of the tissues involved in the synovial joint can be affected. The interplay between the various cell types involved is complex and understanding the interactions between cartilage, bone and synovium may be critical to therapeutic development. Skeletal development likely plays a very important role in predisposition to disease. Through the identification of serious pathologies such as various forms of dwarfism (what in medical terms are called chondrodysplasias) the role of transcription factors and epigenetics is increasing our understanding of disease genesis.The study of the epigenetics of OA - the mechanism by which the human genome alters it’s gene expression (without changing the primary DNA sequence) has provided valuable information on novel risk factors for the disease and are potential therapeutic targets for OA.RESOURCESJournal articlesNuclear receptors as potential drug targets in osteoarthritisInterplay between genetics and epigenetics in osteoarthritisRecent developments in emerging therapeutic targets of osteoarthritisCONNECT WITH USTwitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorgEmail: [email protected]: www.jointaction.info/podcastIf you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to learn more about osteoarthritis from the world's leading experts! And please let us know what you thought by leaving us a review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Food for thought – the link between UPFs and knee osteoarthritis with Dr Gabby Joseph

  On this week's episode of Joint Action discover how ultra-processed foods may be silently contributing to osteoarthritis. Dr Gabby Joseph joins us to discuss her research research linking poor diet quality to greater knee pain, poorer physical function and thinner knee cartilage. Dr Gabby Joseph is a scientist and statistician with over 20 years of experience leading research funded by the US government at the University of California San Francisco, Her work focuses on musculoskeletal imaging, predictive modelling, and clinical study design, with a focus on applying advanced statistical and machine learning methods to improve patient outcomes She is the co-Director of The University of California's Clinical & Translational Musculoskeletal Imaging group and passionate about making sense of complex data so that it can be used to improve real-world care. RESOURCESUltra-processed food consumption is associated with knee osteoarthritis: Data from the Osteoarthritis InitiativeCONNECT WITH USTwitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorgInstagram: @osteoarthritisresearchgroupEmail: [email protected]: www.jointaction.info/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• From court to classroom: Dr John Drazan’s game plan for STEM education

  Dribbling into discovery - on this episode of Joint Action, we are joined by Dr John Drazan to learn more about how he is using basketball to inspire the next generation of scientists. Dr John Drazan is an Assistant Professor of biomedical engineering at Fairfield University where he studies the relationship between muscle structure and function to understand how muscles remodel in response to aging, injury, or training. He is an award-winning STEM educator and former collegiate basketball player who runs STEM focused clinics to encourage student interest in maths, science, technology and engineering. His innovative programs have reached over 25,000 students across the USA.CONNECT WITH USTwitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorgInstagram: @osteoarthritisresearchgroupEmail: [email protected]: www.jointaction.info/podcastIf you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to learn more about osteoarthritis from the world's leading experts! And please let us know what you thought by leaving us a review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Common misconceptions and beliefs about osteoarthritis - improving osteoarthritis knowledge with A/Prof Ben Darlow (2024)

  Did you know your beliefs about osteoarthritis could be making your symptoms worse? In this re-aired episode from Season 5, Episode 1 of Joint Action, physiotherapist and health communication expert Dr Ben Darlow joins us to explore how common misconceptions - like “wear and tear” or “bone on bone” - can limit your activity and shape your treatment choices. We discuss the power of language, the importance of hope, and how better understanding can help you take control of your health. Whether you're living with osteoarthritis, supporting someone who is, or working in healthcare, this conversation is a must-listen.RESOURCESLiving with osteoarthritis is a balancing act: an exploration of patients' beliefs about knee painThe osteoarthritis knowledge scaleCONNECT WITH USTwitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorgEmail: [email protected]: www.jointaction.info/podcastIf you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to learn more about osteoarthritis from the world's leading experts! And please let us know what you thought by leaving us a review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Is Methotrexate ready for clinical use? A discussion with Professor Robin Christensen and Dr Anna Dossing

  Methotrexate is a well-established drug used in oncology, but could it also play a role in managing osteoarthritis? In this episode of Joint Action, Professor David Hunter is joined by Dr Anna Døssing and Professor Robin Christensen to explore the potential of methotrexate as a treatment for osteoarthritis pain. They discuss:What methotrexate is and how it worksInsights from a recent meta-analysis on its effectiveness and safetyWhy individual studies show mixed resultsWhether it might help people with hand or knee OA - especially those with signs of inflammationHow dosing and side effects factor into clinical decision-making Tune in for an honest, data-driven conversation about repurposing an old drug for a new purpose - and what it could mean for people living with osteoarthritis.RESOURCESEditorial: Methotrexate for osteoarthritis—Ready for clinical use and in whom?: https://www.oarsijournal.com/article/S1063-4584(25)00973-2/abstract?CONNECT WITH USTwitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorgInstagram: @osteoarthritisresearchgroupEmail: [email protected]: https://www.jointaction.info/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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