معرفی
Dr. Erika Kague is a Group Leader in the Institute of Genetics and Cancer at the University of Edinburgh, focusing on molecular and cellular mechanisms in bone health and diseases. Her research bridges bone biology and translational medicine through innovative zebrafish models.
- Collaborations: Stuart Ralston (Edinburgh), David Karasik (Bar-Ilan/Harvard), Fernando Rivadeneira (Erasmus), Carolina Medina-Gomez (Erasmus), Eleftheria Zeggini (Helmholtz Munich), John Kemp (Queensland), Eckhard Witten (Ghent), Stefaan Verbruggen (QMUL), Himadri Gupta (QMUL), Elis Newman (QMUL), Kathleen Curran (UCD), Stephen Cross (Bristol), Francesco Turci (Bristol).
- Funding: Versus Arthritis (Career Development Award).
Her work investigates osteocytes—the most abundant bone cells—as mechanostats driving osteoarthritis progression. Leveraging zebrafish mutants and transcriptomic data, she explores neuronal gene expression in osteocytes to uncover pain mechanisms and therapeutic targets. Key technologies include genome editing (CRISPR), transgenesis, and bone phenotyping.
Recent publications highlight collaborations analyzing craniosynostosis genetics, intervertebral disc degeneration, and col11a2 mutations linked to osteoarthritis. Her team includes PhD students (Rory Stewart, Llona Kavege) and Master’s candidates (Jiun Kai Ng, Wanzhen Huang).
- Scientific Awards: Versus Arthritis Career Development Award.
The lab employs zebrafish models to dynamically study bone-cell interactions, with translational applications in osteoarthritis and mechanobiology.
