Our Research Team

Researchers from a variety of specialties at the University of Missouri work together to study the disorders and diseases that cause hip and knee problems. Our goal is to find clinical applications through research at multiple levels, from microscopic proteins inside cartilage cells that interact to cause osteoarthritis, to advanced biomaterials that may help us create artificial joints that can last a patient’s lifetime. Our surgeons share key collaborations with research staff at the University of Missouri-Rolla, and with the University of Missouri Comparative Orthopaedic Laboratory in Columbia Listed below are faculty members who are actively involved with our hip and knee surgeons in research targeted at improving the outcomes of joint replacement surgery.

If you're interested in knowing about some of the projects we're currently undertaking, look here.

To meet some of the graduate students who have worked on our research projects, look here.

James L. Cook, DVM, PhD, is the William C. Allen Endowed Scholar for Orthopaedic Research and Director of the Comparative Orthopaedic Laboratory at the University of Missouri-Columbia. The Comparative Orthopaedic Laboratory brings together a community of researchers to study joint disorders and diseases and offer a comprehensive approach to clinical studies, applying knowledge learned in different scientific disciplines. Dr. Cook has a number of scientific investigations in progress that are designed to use adult stem cells to replace diseased cartilage in joints, and to use genetic engineering technology to address the fundamental underlying molecular processes in the development of osteoarthritis. For more about Dr. Cook, look here.

The Comparative Orthopaedic Laboratory published 19 peer-reviewed scientific articles in the year ended June 2005, seven of which were award winners at national scientific meetings.

Sanjeev Khanna, PhD is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He received his doctorate degree from the University of Rhode Island. His interest in working with our surgeons is in investigating the topography, surface roughness, and predicted wear of various ceramic biomaterials that are used in the bearings of hip and knee joint replacement surgery. A second area of interest is in the application of material science to develop orthopaedic implants that are resistant to bacterial infection. For further details, visit Dr. Khanna at this site.

Bimal Ray, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology at the University of Missouri-Columbia. His joint research efforts with our surgeons focus on the molecular causes of inflammatory diseases such as osteoarthritis. As an example, Dr. Ray’s work has revealed the identity of a protein known as serum amyloid A activating factor (SAF). SAF is a transcription factor, i.e., a substance that turns on a gene inside cartilage cells, triggering a chain of reactions that lead to the ultimate destruction of cartilage, a key event in the development of osteoarthritis. Dr. Ray’s laboratory has developed a unique mouse model of osteoarthritis using gene splicing technology. The goal of our work is to develop a molecular approach to the treatment and control of inflammatory diseases such as osteoarthritis, so that pain medications and joint replacement surgery may become obsolete some day in the future. This is a premium scientific laboratory that is funded in part by the National Institutes of Health.

Mohamed N. Rahaman, PhD, is a Professor of Ceramic Engineering at the University of Missouri-Rolla. His collaborative research with our surgeons focuses on the synthesis and processing of advanced ceramics, including materials that offer promising applications in the creation of advanced orthopaedic implants, improving their durability and safety. In addition, Dr. Rahaman has completed extensive work studying the microscopic surface wear characteristics of retrieved and explanted orthopaedic bearings from hip replacement surgery. Our surgeons and Dr. Rahaman were the recipients of a peer-reviewed research grant from the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation to fabricate composite osteochondral grafts from adult stem-cell tissue engineered cartilage, and bioactive glasses. This is the type of work that will eventually lead to biologic solutions to arthritic hips and knees. For more details about Dr. Rahaman, please visit this site. To meet the team members who assist Dr. Rahaman in his work, please visit this site.

Douglas Smith, PhD, is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Missouri-Columbia. His research with our surgeons focuses on the creating of finite element analysis models to predict the optimal shape of components used in artificial hip surgery. A separate goal of the collaborative research is to test the comparative safety of orthopaedic implants used in minimally invasive hip replacement surgery. For further details, please visit this site.