Knee joint replacement technology of the future: Dr Nick Skaer

Pembroke Alumnus Dr Nick Skaer and his company Orthox have moved to the forefront of bio medical science with their ground breaking research into how silk worms may hold the key to a new cartilage repair treatment which offers an alternative to knee joint replacement.

Dr Nick Skaer came to Pembroke in 1993 to study Biology. He remarked “Under the tutelage of Dr Mark Fricker, I gained an excellent education in the biological sciences during my time at Pembroke which has proved invaluable in my subsequent academic and translational research”. Dr Skaer founded Orthox in 2008 with knee surgeon, Professor Oliver Kessler. Orthox specialises in understanding and emulating the natural properties of silk worm and spider silks to develop biomaterials that offer the potential to revolutionise the repair of damaged bone and cartilage.

Dr Skaer’s research culminated with the creation of FibroFix which mimics the properties of the body’s natural cartilage in the knee allowing for more effective treatment of deteriorating cartilage. FibroFix was developed as a preventative measure for joint injuries that inevitably worsen over time with the idea that it would be used soon after an injury rather than waiting until the joint had deteriorated to a point where a metal and plastic joint replacement would be required.

Dr Skaer’s work has most recently been covered by The Guardian, the article can be found here. If you want a more in depth look into his work you can find all the relevant information on the Orthox website.