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Bjorn Reino Olsen, M.D.,Ph.D.

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Biography
1963
Voss Award for Anatomical Research
1974
A. and K.E. Schreiner Award for Biological Research
1978
Best Lecturer of the First Year Class, Student Assosication
1980
Best Lecturer of the First Year Calss, Student Association
1982
Excellence in Teaching
1983
Co-chairman, Gordon Conference "Structural Macromolecules Collagen"
1984
Co-chairman
1985
Honorary A.M. Degree
1989
Co-chairman
1992 - 1993
MERIT Award for scientific excellence
1995
Co-chairman, conference on "Molecular and Developmental Biology of Cartilage"
1995
Humboldt Research Award for Senior U.S. Scientists
1996
Member
1996
President
2000
Honorary Doctor of Science Degree
2000
Honorary Doctor of Science Degree
2001
Distinguished Faculty Award
2006
H.C. Jacobæus Prize and lecturer
2006
Member
2006
Senior Research Prize
2007
Co-chariman
2009
Chairman
2009
Co-chairman
2010
IADR Distinguished Scientist Award for Craniofacial Biology Research
2011
Chairman elect

Overview
My laboratory studies skeletal and vascular morphogenesis, growth and remodeling/repair. Work is currently directed at three project areas.

In the first project we study skeletal morphogenesis and growth. We are interested in genes that control differentiation of mesenchymal cells to chondrocytes and osteoblasts, the control of spatial patterns of mesenchymal condensations during skeletal development, the molecular mechanisms controlling the formation of ossification centers, the regulation of proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes in growth plates, and molecular mechanisms responsible for accrual of bone mass and remodeling of the vertebrate skeleton in response to mechanical stress. In addition to using knock-out, knock-in, and conditional knock-out mice in studies of specific genes, we make extensive use of genetic approaches in mice and humans. This includes mapping of inherited disorders, gene identification and mutation detection.

In the second project we investigate the molecular basis for vascular morphogenesis, using a combination of human genetics and studies of cells in culture. In addition, we study mice with inactivated alleles for collagens that are expressed in vascular walls, and use conditional knock-out techniques to inactivate VEGF and its receptors in mice.

In the third project we are studying genetic causes of degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis) in humans and mice. One approach involves identification of mutations responsible for early-onset osteoarthritis as part of inherited osteochondrodysplasias and cellular/molecular analyses of pathogenetic mechanisms.

Mentoring
The role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in intramembranous ossification during embryonic mandibular development
Summer, 05/01/15 - 01/01/16
Role of PKD1 in the nasal cartilage upon mechanical stress induced at the mid-palatal suture
Summer, 05/30/07 - 08/10/07
Investigation of Wnt signaling and the apoptotic response to acute injury in dental tissue repair
International, 06/11/12 - 08/05/12
Characterizing the Role of TIE2 in Venous Malformations in Transgenic Mouse Model
Summer, 06/19/00 - 08/11/00
Identification of VEGF in mechanically force-induced midpalatal suture remodeling in mice
Part Time, 02/11/09 - 06/12/09
Optimization and Preparation for the Study of CD146 in Hemangioma Cell Lines
Summer, 06/21/04 - 08/06/04
Role of FGF2/9 in the growing cranial base synchondrosis
International, 06/12/12 - 08/03/12
Cherubism
Part Time, 04/01/99 - 06/20/99
Cherubism
Summer, 06/20/99 - 08/25/99
Non-endothelial origin of midpalatal suture osteoblasts
Summer, 06/11/12 - 08/13/12
Remodeling Characteristics of Mouse Midpalatal Suture Osteochondroprogenitor Cells in Response to Mechanical Force
Summer, 06/16/08 - 08/11/08

Research
The research activities and funding listed below are automatically derived from NIH ExPORTER and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing items. Faculty can login to make corrections and additions.
  1. R21AR072192 (OLSEN, BJORN REINO) Apr 1, 2018 - Mar 31, 2020
    NIH
    A mechanism for tyrosine phosphorylation of extracellular matrix proteins
    Role: Principal Investigator
  2. R13AR061249 (OLSEN, BJORN REINO) Apr 1, 2011 - Mar 31, 2012
    NIH
    2011 Bones &Teeth Gordon Research Conference
    Role: Principal Investigator
  3. S10RR031514 (OLSEN, BJORN REINO) Apr 1, 2011 - Mar 31, 2012
    NIH
    MicroXCT-200 X-ray Scanner
    Role: Principal Investigator
  4. R13AR057242 (OLSEN, BJORN REINO) Apr 1, 2009 - Oct 31, 2009
    NIH
    2009 Gordon Research Conference on Cartilage Biology and Pathology
    Role: Principal Investigator
  5. R21AR053143 (OLSEN, BJORN REINO) Sep 21, 2005 - Aug 31, 2007
    NIH
    PRIMARY CILIA/CILIARY TRANSPORT IN BONE PATTERNING, GROWTH AND MECHANOSENSING
    Role: Principal Investigator

Bibliographic
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Funded by the NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences through its Clinical and Translational Science Awards Program, grant number UL1TR002541.