An interview with osteoporosis researcher Dr Vilaca

We caught up with Dr Vilaca to find out more about her research and what inspires her...

When you were growing up, did you always want to be a scientist? 

Initially I trained as a doctor – and it was then that I learnt the reality of the problems people can face with their health.  

In time, though, I realised that I wanted to reach more people – not just patients, and to contribute in a different way. Research felt like a good way to do this, so I moved to Sheffield and started my PhD. 

What inspired your passion for research into bone health? 

When I was a doctor I realised that osteoporosis is a silent condition – until you have a fracture you don’t know it’s there. Also, there is much more to be learnt about bone health in ageing; we know that as people age, so do their bones, but we know little about why and how. If we understood more, then we’d be able to treat people more effectively – this is what drives me.

What challenges do researchers face when searching for funding? 

It’s difficult, as there’s so much competition. If a grant is open to people who have worked in the field for a long time, then a person in their early career can’t easily compete.  

And what impact does receiving funding make? 

It’s very important. This is the first funding I’ve ever had – and so I’m doing everything from scratch. However, this has meant I’ve learnt a lot, and now I feel more prepared and confident. 

Also, you need to have some data, and some experience, to apply for the next funding opportunity. This research is an important building block, and it all adds up to something that will really have impact. 

What is your current research about? 

My PhD was in bone health and diabetes. Diabetes can increase your risk of fractures but is quite different from osteoporosis. I looked at bone quality generally, then bone quality in people with diabetes. It was then that I realised the rate at which bones renew (a normal bodily process), in that group of people was very low. 

I wondered whether certain molecules in the body could help us learn more about osteoporosis so we can personalise drug treatment. 

These molecules are known as advanced glycation end products or AGEs. They’re formed when sugars bind to collagen, which is the main protein in bone. We’re not sure if these molecules are causing harm or not – that’s what we want to find out. We believe they could weaken the structure of bones.  

Do these molecules play a role in bone metabolism (how much the bones renew) or are they just an indicator that the bone is not renewing enough? Basically, we’re hoping that these AGEs could help tell us what’s going on in the bones. 

What do you hope it will lead to?

I  hope we're able to help more people with osteoporosis. We hope it will give us a view on what’s happening in people’s bodies in the longer term. 

I hope it will:  

• help us personalise drug treatments 
• tell us whether treatment will work, or not 
• reduce the risk of side effects 
• help us develop new drugs for the future. 

And, more generally, give us a deeper understanding of osteoporosis.  

How confident are you that we will beat osteoporosis one day? 

I’m optimistic. We want to improve things for people with osteoporosis, and I have hope that we will. Every day we’re getting closer – but there’s a lot still to do. 

What message would you send to someone considering whether to donate?

Many young researchers are here and full of energy and enthusiasm to succeed – and want to work hard on projects that could help people with osteoporosis, but there’s a lack of funding. As early years researchers, we need to start somewhere, as our work could really contribute.

Your gift today could help kickstart another brilliant research career and support a project like mine – and change the lives of people with osteoporosis. Please donate today.