Professor Mark Wilkinson MB ChB, PhD, FRCS (Orth)
Professor of Orthopaedics
Joint diseases and their outcomes
Tel: +44 (0)114 215 9029
Email: j.m.wilkinson@sheffield.ac.uk
Mark’s principal research interests are in the genetic and metabolic aspects of joint replacement, osteoarthritis, and other associated diseases. Mark is a key clinical collaborator in the Genetics of Osteoarthritis initiative. He and his collaborators have been instrumental in determining our current understanding of the genetic architecture of osteoarthritis. He conducted the first genome-wide scan into hip dysplasia, and into osteolysis and heterotopic ossification after hip replacement, He published the first study in humans to show that bisphosphonates may suppress bone loss after hip replacement and the first clinical trial to show that the human monoclonal antibody denosumab can inhibit osteolysis lesion activity. Other areas of research include exploration of the molecular mechanisms that underpin osteoarthritis development and identifying potential novel pharmacological strategies for its treatment. Work on the genetics of osteoarthritis has uncovered novel gene associations with severity and pattern of hip and knee OA, bone remodelling responses to disease, and hip shape. Work on the systemic health effects of metal ion exposure after hip resurfacing has demonstrated effects on bone cells, cardiovascular, and other systems.
Mark’s principal funding sources are Versus Arthritis, NIHR, Wellcome, MRC, Royal College of Surgeons of England, Cavendish Foundation, John Charnley Trust and industry.
