USC Orthopaedic Research Laboratories

The USC Orthopaedic Infection Laboratory

Director, Michael J. Patzakis, M.D.
Paul D. Holtom, M.D.

The USC Infection Laboratory houses research staff that is involved in human clinical trials which involve the use of experimental antibiotics used in various skin and skin structure, osteomyelitis and soft tissue infections seen by the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. The staff is composed of a microbiologist, a clinical coordinator and two M.D. research fellows.

The microbiologist performs sterility testing of new antibacterial products as well as bacterial sensitivities not only for the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, but also for studies originating from other departments (Medicine, Obstetrics, Pediatrics, etc.). The clinical coordinator is involved with the recruitment of human subjects for the clinical trials, following their treatment during the study and corresponding with the sponsoring companies (Maintenance of case report forms, meeting with study monitors, etc). The research fellows are also involved with enrollment, ordering of all related laboratory tests and patient examinations.

Bone Molecular Laboratory

Director, Baruch Frenkel, D.M.D., Ph.D.

Baruch Frenkel, D.M.D., Ph.D., Visiting Assistant Professor, has founded and continues to head the Bone Molecular Biology Laboratory since September 1997. This laboratory is located at the USC Institute for Genetic Medicine, which provides a rich environment for pursuing top-notch basic research. Dr. Frenkel’s team is primarily studying osteoblast differentiation and the influence on this process by hormones, growth factors and drugs.

Examples include glucocorticoids, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP), osteogenic growth peptide (OGP) and various antibiotics. The process of osteoblast differentiation is studied with emphases on extracellular matrix production and mineralization, cell cycle progression, as well as structural and functional aspects of gene regulation. Additional research interests in the laboratory include mechanisms of osteosarcoma, tumor metastasis to bone, effects of polyethylene particles on osteoblasts, and the development of PCR-based diagnostics for bone infections.

Working with Dr. Frenkel in the Bone Molecular Biology Laboratory are Ph.D. postdoctoral fellows, Ph.D. graduate students, and M.D. research fellows, some of whom are orthopaedic residents of the Department. While most lab members focus on molecular mechanisms of osteoblast function in health and disease, others take advantage of Dr. Frenkel’s expertise in cellular and molecular bone biology to study issues more directly related to clinical orthopaedics. These projects are typically carried out in collaboration with clinical Faculty, including Drs. Patzakis, Holtom, Shepherd and McPherson, although the resources are available for all faculty, fellows and residents. Recently, Dr. Frenkel’s collaborative efforts with these physicians have resulted in a paper published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research, on osteoblasts and quinolone antibiotics. This has been the second publication this year, adding to a previous paper published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, on the effects of glucocorticoids on osteoblast cell cycle and differentiation.

While in the past Dr. Frenkel’s research has been supported by small internal grants, this year he received a four-year grant from NIH (1.1 million dollars in direct costs) to study the regulation of chromatinized genes in osteoblasts. He also received $25.OOO from the Zumberge Foundation to study the role of cyclin A in glucocorticoid-induced attenuation of osteoblast cell cycle progression.

Microsurgical Laboratory

Director, Milan Stevanovic, M.D., Ph.D.

The Microsurgical Laboratory was recently moved in 1998 from Orthopaedic Hospital to the USC Health Sciences Campus, and is currently housed in the MUDD Building, Room B-11, and occupies 180 square feet. This laboratory allows PGY-6 hand fellows and residents of the Orthopaedic Residency Program to practice supervised microsurgical techniques. The laboratory recently acquired a Zeiss operating microscope from donated funds from the USC Joseph H. Boyes Fellowship Fund. The lab receives partial support from research grants funded by pharmaceutical companies and donations from fellowship alumni.

The Pathokinesiology Gait Laboratory (Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center)

Director, Sara Mulroy, Ph.D., P.T.

Basic science facilities include the Pathokinesiology Gait Laboratory. The lab performs functional assessment by gait analysis to measure outcome after orthopaedic care of the lower extremity and spine pathology. The lab occupies approximately 2000 square feet. Personnel include a technician, an engineer, a physical therapist, and secretarial staff. Equipment includes a stride analyzer with a dedicated PC and various equipment to study motion analysis, force and EMG.

Gait Analysis Laboratory (Childrens Hospital Los Angeles)

Director, Tishya Wren, Ph.D.

Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles has an active gait analysis laboratory that is used for clinical evaluation and for research projects. Current funding is $300,000 for studies related to the upper and lower extremity functional changes present after botulinum toxin injection. An animal facility with an operating room and imaging capability is available for use at the CHLA Research Center. Clinical research is regularly conducted by the faculty and the orthopaedic residents or fellow.

The USC Orthopaedic Research Laboratory

Director, Thay Q. Lee, Ph.D.