The development of skeletal architecture and the maintenance of bone mass is dependent on the mechanical stresses and strains encountered throughout our lifetime. Removal of these physical forces during paralysis, microgravity encountered in spaceflight, and even extended bed rest, results in a rapid loss of bone with up to 2% of total body calcium lost per month. Conversely, increased activity and exercise has been shown to reduce the rate of bone loss in osteoporotic patients and application of exogenous mechanical loads can result in increased bone formation in a modeling skeleton. The focus of the research in my lab is to understand how mechanical signals are perceived by bone cells and converted into biochemical responses within the cell to promote bone formation
