Progress

The strategy of the general work plan is based on four main interlinking phases.

The first phase sets up the study phenotypes; this choice provides the samples and information for the other scientific work packages and hence overrides all work on the project. It also sets up a unified set of protocols for collecting samples and data and develops a unified database for overall analysis of data.

The second phase uses tissue, bloods and clinical information from patients, controls and populations to increase understanding of the susceptibility genes and cellular pathways leading to specific disc-degeneration related pathologies.

This information feeds into a third phase where molecular and cellular information is used to determine genes and pathways involved in pathogenesis and this information is used to develop models of degeneration, pathology and treatment at the tissue and disc level.

These themes lead into a final fourth phase which is directly patient orientated and aims at developing novel methods of diagnosis, better able to target treatments, including biological repair strategies, towards patients who will benefit. If specific markers for susceptibility to chronicity or spinal stenosis are identified, further research is designed to work towards clinical development of preventative measures.

Genodisc is currently in Phase 3