Florent Elefteriou

Florent Elefteriou is a Professor at Baylor College of Medicine in both the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics and Department of Orthopedic Surgery. He also serves as the Associate Director of the Center for Skeletal Medicine and Biology and is a member of the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Claude Bernard University, Lyon, France (1999)
• Postdoctoral Fellowship in Molecular and Human Genetics at Baylor College of Medicine (2004)

Research Interests:

• Understanding the molecular mechanisms of bone formation, growth, aging, and repair through the lens of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), focusing on dystrophic scoliosis, tibia bowing, and non-union fractures
• Investigating the interaction between the autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic) and bone remodeling, particularly in osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease
• Exploring how growth plate chondrocytes and intervertebral disc cells survive in anoxic, hyperosmotic, and nutrient-poor environments

Students and Collaborators:

• Ph.D. alumni: Preston Campbell, Matthew Karolak, Patrick Mulcrone, Ebrahim Tahaei, and Yuantee Zhu
• Postdoctoral researchers: Ma Yun, Weixi Wang, Jean de la Croix Ndong, Koichiro Ono, Guillaume Vignaux, Lise Clement-Demange, and Maria Madel

Grants and Collaborations:

• RO1AR082536 (2023–2028): Skeletal Maladies in NF1
• R01AR077949 (2021–2026): Neurofibromin in Skeletal Stem Cells
• R21AR083029 (2024–2025): Pre-Clinical Models for Bone Repair
• NCI R01CA183878 (2014–2025) with Zhang: Neurofibroma-Bone Interactions

Labs and Teams: The Elefteriou Lab at Baylor College of Medicine investigates bone development, autonomic nerve-bone crosstalk, and chondrocyte stress adaptation. The lab generates pre-clinical models for targeted therapies in NF1 and explores novel therapeutic targets for osteoporosis and bone metastasis.