Dr. Roman Krawetz
Adult stem cells are thought to contribute to maintained tissue function by counteracting normal wear and tear as well as responding to injury. These cells are present throughout the human body, including the synovial membrane, a tissue present in many joints in our bodies, including the knee. Unlike stem cells taken from healthy individuals, stem cells derived from the synovial membrane of patients with osteoarthritis are not completely functional in their ability to contribute to maintenance and/or repair. Therefore, in the joints of patients with osteoarthritis, cartilage breaks down resulting in pain, stiffness and inflammation.
My lab group seeks to understand the relationship between joint inflammation and the behaviour of stem cells, and this knowledge will be essential in developing new treatments for patients suffering from diseases such as osteoarthritis.
Welcome to our lab and feel free to contact us if you want to learn more, or even better, join our team.