Taking opportunity of an infection

How can an infection help repair bone defects? This was the question that started the PhD research of Paree Khokhani, who defended her work on the 12th of March.  

Infection is often seen as something bad that should be treated. However, surgeons at the UMC Utrecht observed that bone growth occurred when the body responded to a bacterial infection. Paree’s research shows the possibility of using this regenerative reaction to repair bone fractures. She also stresses the importance of further research into the immune response at the site of the fracture.  

Using infection for healing

'The idea behind this research is very innovative and advanced,' Paree explains, 'the immune reaction of the body to the bacterial infection attracts certain proteins and cells that help with good and fast bone formation. The body is triggered to repair itself.’ Paree focused her research on finding a replacement for this bacterial infection.  

An alternative infection

Paree used synthetic bacterial fragments as a safer and more precise alternative to a bacterial infection, trying to induce the same bone-forming immune response. In vitro, this gave promising outcomes. However, the animal model showed some challenges. Paree explains: 'What we found was that these fragments alone were not strong enough to give the same immune response as the bacteria.'  

At the fracture site

Even though the concept of using the body's response to infection shows great promise, Paree stresses that further research on the immune response is necessary. A lot of questions about what happens at the fracture site remain unanswered. 'When we know more about the actual process, that is when we can start manipulating the reaction and use it for bone formation', Paree says. Therefore, further research will focus on establishing a better understanding of what the immune response looks like at the fracture site.

Back to her roots

After her PhD, Paree wants to find a job in the medical device industry. 'Even though I have learned to be a biologist during my PhD, I am a biomedical engineer at heart' Paree says, 'and I would like to go back to my roots.’ A great thank you goes out to the RMCU, which Paree calls a supportive community. 'Obtaining a PhD was always my dream, being able to finish it with all the ups and downs, and lessons learned, feels like a great accomplishment.’ 

This article was written by Karen van der Doelen.