Dr Raewyn Carol Poulsen

Biography

Dr Poulsen returned to New Zealand in late 2013 after nearly 6 years of post-doctoral training at the Botnar Research Centre, Institute of Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, UK. She is a cell biologist with expertise in cell signalling. Dr Poulsen currently holds a Sir Charles Hercus Health Research Fellowship (Health Research Council of New Zealand). 

Research | Current

Molecular Basis for Musculoskeletal Disease Research Group

Research in my group is focussed on understanding the cell signalling pathways involved in disease pathogenesis with the aim of identifying novel drug targets for treatment. A major focus of our work is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the leading cause of disability in adults worldwide. Despite its prevalence, there are no disease-modifying therapies available to treat osteoarthritis or slow the progression of disease. Our work has uncovered novel mechanisms involved in osteoarthritis development and we are currently investigating new pharmaceutical strategies to target these mechanisms. Recently, we identified that changes to the chondrocyte circadian clock, a key regulator of cell behaviour and cell differentiation, occur in human osteoarthritis and that these changes contribute to disease development. Current research projects in our group include:

Peripheral circadian clock disruption as a mechanism for disease

Most, if not all, cells in the body contain a circadian clock. Cell clocks are responsible for regulating the timing of cellular activities. They help ensure that opposing activities occur at different times and that mutually dependent processes occur concurrently. Circadian clock disruption is linked with a number of diseases including cancer and diabetes. In 2016, we demonstrated that the chondrocyte clock is altered in osteoarthritis. Since then, a number of studies have shown that chondrocyte clock disruption may contribute to osteoarthritis development. We are interested in determining how cell clocks are regulated, how clocks in neighbouring cells within a tissue are synchronised and the role of the clock in controlling cell behaviour. 

Bone-cartilage cross-talk in the development of osteoarthritis

Although loss of joint cartilage is a characteristic feature of osteoarthritis, there is evidence that disease actually initiates in bone. We are investigating how cells within different tissues communicate with each other. At present we are studying the impact of signals from bone cells, particularly osteocytes, in controlling the behaviour of chondrocytes. Aberrant signals from osteocytes may cause chondrocytes to alter their behaviour, contributing to the development of osteoarthritis.

How lifestyle factors increase the risk of developing chronic disease

There is mounting evidence that slightly elevated blood glucose concentrations (even in the non-diabetic range) contribute to the development of a number of diseases including osteoarthritis. Glucose levels can influence cell behaviour and tissue health through a variety of mechanisms. We are interested in understanding how elevated glucose levels contribute to disease development.    

The molecular basis for sex differences in disease  

The incidence of many diseases differs between males and females. Females tend to have a higher risk than males of developing diseases such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis whereas males are at higher risk of gout. Disease may not always be driven by the same factors in males compared to females and this is an important consideration when developing therapies to treat disease. Our work is focused on determining the molecular mechanisms that cause sex differences in disease risk and on establishing how disease pathogenesis differs between males and females.

We have opportunities for Summer students as well as honours, masters and PhD students.

Teaching | Current

MEDSCI 319 Molecular Pharmacology

MEDSCI 320 Pharmacology of the Brain and Body

MEDSCI 700 Special Topic: Drug Discovery Biology

MEDSCI 701 Special Studies in Medical Sciences

MEDSCI 720 Biomedical Research Techniques

MEDSCI 735 Topics in Pharmacology

MEDSCI 744 Project Design in Biomedical Science

PHARMACY 412 Pharmacy 5

Distinctions/Honours

Sir Charles Hercus Health Research Fellowship (Health Research Council NZ) (2016).

Committees/Professional groups/Services