BME PhD Preliminary Exam Announcement for Mikayla A. Roach (Dr. Deva Chan, Advisor)

Title: Synoviocyte Mechanobiology of Hyaluronan Metabolism

Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 10:00 AM.

Date: November 18, 2025

Time: 10:00 AM

Location: DLR 221 and Zoom

Zoom link: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/8311008712?omn=98335396890

Committee Members: Dr. Deva Chan (Chair); Dr. Elizabeth Blaber; Dr. Leopold Green; Dr. Estelle Park

Abstract:

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common musculoskeletal diseases and it significantly reduces quality of life for those affected. The severe consequences of osteoarthritis such as joint stiffness, inflammation, and excruciating pain warrant further study into the disease’s etiology. There is no known cure for osteoarthritis.  Options to attenuate the negative effects of the disease include physical therapy, pain medications, intra-articular injections, and whole joint replacement. Physical activity is the primary non-pharmacologic therapy prescribed to patients to alleviate the symptoms of osteoarthritis. However, not all patients with osteoarthritis are able to complete physical therapy at an intensity and duration deemed effective. Mechanical loading can be considered a mimetic of physical activity and has proven to be an effective method to alter the production of hyaluronan and extracellular vesicles.  As more connections between mechanobiology, extracellular matrix production, and disease are discovered, studying the role of mechanical stimuli on osteoarthritis progression may reveal new ways to slow or stop the disease.  Therefore, it is important to further evaluate the function of loading in changing the behavior of cells found in joints. I aim to develop a deeper understanding of the processes related to hyaluronan production by comparing hyaluronan metabolism in primary cells and cell lines, analyzing how differences in the cellular microenvironment alter hyaluronan metabolism, and determining how the application of mechanical load effects hyaluronan metabolism.  I will also explore new methods of replicating effects of physical activity in terms of hyaluronan metabolism using extracellular vesicles and a novel synthetic bacterium.