The Holguin laboratory focuses on the biomechanics and mechanobiology of the spine undergoing adaptation to aging, mechanical forces, injury and pharmaceutical therapies. Dr. Holguin studies how Wnt signaling, a molecular pathway responsible for cell proliferation and matrix production in many musculoskeletal tissues, may be mediated by mechanical forces to either induce degeneration of the intervertebral disc, its maintenance or repair. The techniques used in the laboratory may be molecular (e.g., PCR, qPCR, Western blots, Raman Spectroscopy), histologic (e.g., staining, IHC, fluorochrome histomorphometry), radiographic (e.g., DEXA, microCT), and biomechanical (e.g., spinal-unit tension-compression, indentation)
