McGee-Lawrence lab
 

The McGee-Lawrence laboratory studies the roles of epigenetics, hormone signaling, and mechanobiological changes in skeletal degeneration during aging and in the context of exercise.  The overarching goal of the laboratory’s research program is to understand mechanisms involved in the maintenance and regeneration of bone structure and biomechanical strength, and uncovering the integrative physiological mechanisms by which the skeleton interacts with other body systems like fat and muscle. This program emphasizes epigenetic and mechanobiological therapeutic targets for skeletal treatment, mechanical competence of tissue, and pathways involved in skeletal communication.
The laboratory is currently funded by the NIH (NIA) and NASA, and has recently completed research projects funded by the NSF and American Diabetes Association. Currently funded research projects are aimed at defining the role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (and other nuclear hormone receptors) in bone remodeling cells during aging, understanding crosstalk between tryptophan metabolites, histone deacetylases, and the SDF-1 (Cxcl12) axis in mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblasts with age, and testing the contributions of novel osteocyte mechanosensation mechanisms in the processes of osteocyte mechanotransduction and survival, bone maintenance, and skeletal adaptation.
Dr. McGee-Lawrence is also the PI of the “Functional Outcomes” core for an MCG/Augusta University Program Project (P01) grant funded by the NIA. In this role, she oversees and facilitates data collection from an array of techniques including bone and muscle histology and histomorphometry, biomechanical testing of tissues, DXA and microCT-based analysis of hard and soft tissues, and analysis of circulating markers and metabolites.  The laboratory is happy to offer guidance or training on any of these techniques, including static and dynamic musculoskeletal histology/histomorphometry (methylmethacrylate-embedded, cryofilm-supported, and paraffin-based histology techniques, and the use of digital histomorphometry software), RNAscope staining of decalcified and non-decalcified tissues, mechanical testing, and microCT-based analysis of calcified and contrast-enhanced soft tissues.