Brendan F. Boyce, M.D.

Research Bio

The major focus of research in my lab is study of the regulation of the formation, activation and survival of osteoclasts, the cells that resorb bone. In recent years, many genes have been identified as regulators of these aspects of osteoclast function, and our studies presently are focused on the roles of NF-kappaB and src tyrosine kinase in osteoclasts. My colleague, Dr. Lianping Xing, and I, along with members of the Center for Musculoskeletal Research at the University, are studying the roles of these gene products in the increased bone resorption and decreased bone formation that characterize a number of bone diseases, including postmenopausal osteoporosis, inflammatory joint disease, metastatic bone disease and loosening of joint prostheses.