Project summary
Trisomy 21 (T21), more commonly known as Down syndrome (DS), is a genetic condition where every cell in the body has an additional copy of chromosome 21. People with DS have a greater chance of developing early-onset osteoporosis (EOO) with heightened risk of fractures and impaired fracture repair.
Little is known regarding the underlying mechanisms as to why people with DS are at higher risk of EOO and impaired fracture repair.
Without understanding the pathogenesis of EOO in individuals with DS, appropriate prevention strategies and osteotherapies to slow down EOO progression are not available to this community. We plan on overcoming this. The findings of this project will lay the groundwork for the development of tailored, osteo-therapy options, and the potential to change practice to include regular bone health assessment for individuals with DS.
Applications close
12 June 2026 11:55pm
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Summary of position
Two Masters by Research positions in Biomedical Science within the School of Health at UniSC.
Position/project A will investigate bone growth and repair using mouse models of DS. We will use Ts65Dn, Ts66Yah, and wild-type mice to measure bone microarchitecture using micro-CT, and specialised histological stains to map resident cells throughout the bone. A fracture model will also be used with femurs extracted at timepoints that correspond to key points in fracture repair to examine bone repair.
Position/project B will investigate the difference in bone integrity in individuals with DS pre- and post-puberty compared to age- and weight-matched typical individuals using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). Bone mineral density, bone geometry, and the bone-muscle unit will be analysed along with bone markers and hormones that can impact bone (eg parathyroid hormone).
Ideal eligible candidates
The ideal candidate is a motivated individual with a strong work ethic who is excited to join the Down syndrome Skeletal Health research group and investigate the bone health of individuals with Down syndrome.
Eligibility requirements include:
Domestic candidates only - Australia and New Zealand citizens or Australian Permanent residents
Inclusions
The full-time candidature period is 1.5 years, with possibility of a 6-month extension. Coverage for the domestic HDR student includes:
- Stipend: $38,000 (AUD) per annum, paid fortnightly and is tax-free for full-time students.
- Tuition fees: Full coverage, with a value of $29,300 per annum.
- Relocation allowance: Up to $2,000 to relocate to a UniSC campus.
All inclusions are in accordance with UniSC Research scholarship guidelines.
Contact
Email: mmaughammacan@usc.edu.au