Prof Sally Roberts

Name: Sally Roberts

Institution: Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry and ISTM, Keele University.

Theme or Role: Novel / Innovative Experimental Technology  

Contact: sally.roberts4@nhs.net

Brief biography: Having undertaken my PhD looking at mechanical and biochemical factors in OA in the hip, several years were then spent investigating what is often described as causing OA in another anatomical location, the intervertebral disc in the spine. More recently, being based in an orthopaedic hospital which is unusual in having an MHRA-licensed cell manufacturing facility, much of my attention has been focussed on cell therapy, particularly on the process of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) for treating early OA. Developing a reliable biological treatment which can interrupt or reverse the development of OA in the majority of injured or degenerate joints is a personal ambition.  

As the lead on the Novel and Experimental Technology Theme, I led the Focus Meeting with a Delphi study approach. The results from this have been published and can be seen in the link below.

Vision for the OATech+ Network: Capitalise on bringing so many individuals with a very broad range of skills and expertise together to address a common, multifactorial, disabling disease and hopefully progress research into ways to untangle the individual drivers which may be involved and so enable better targeting of therapies.