In this section
Based at Imperial's White City Campus, we are a research group with a focus on Spine Biomechanics. We use a range of tools to better understanding in the areas of spinal injury, spinal deformity and spinal surgery.
Our lab has state-of-the-art ex vivo testing capabilities, including bespoke testing rigs, a 6 DOF robot arm, a C-arm, pressure needles, water baths, and high-speed X-ray. We also have access to advanced imaging technologies, including micro-CT, 9.4T MRI, and microscopy.
We use novel computational approaches (finite element modelling, msk modelling, digital volume correlation (DVC), machine learning) to develop workflows to provide clinicians with information to inform patient treatment strategies, to better predict risk of injury, and to assess scoliosis brace designs.
We collaborate globally, with ongoing projects with colleagues in New Zealand, USA, Portugal, South Africa, Germany, Australia, Sri Lanka and India.
You can explore our recent publications below.
@article{Slater:2025:10.1002/jsp2.70116,
author = {Slater, TD and Gagliostri, B and Kibble, MJ and Tümer, NS and Cripton, PA and Newell, N},
doi = {10.1002/jsp2.70116},
journal = {JOR Spine},
title = {A comparison of five animal models for acute intervertebral disc herniation research},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jsp2.70116},
volume = {8},
year = {2025}
}
TY - JOUR
AB - Study DesignMicrostructural investigation of mechanical load induced acute disc herniation on five animal models.ObjectiveTo compare how spinal discs in different animal models herniate under a standardized complex compressive load.Summary of Background DataAnimal models in disc herniation research offer reduced degeneration-associated variability, lower cost, and greater availability compared to human specimens. However, there is limited consensus regarding which species is best suited for modeling human herniation, making a comprehensive comparison of species-specific herniation mechanisms necessary.Materials and MethodsA standardized shear and compressive load, designed to herniate intervertebral discs, was applied to isolated discs of five cadaveric animal models (n = 30, 6 specimens per group): bovine tail, bovine lumbar, ovine lumbar, porcine lumbar, and porcine cervical. The segments were flexed (7°), and a shear-compressive load was applied at a crosshead displacement rate of 40 mm min−1, until a force drop, or a displacement limit was reached (~80% of disc height). Microstructural analysis was undertaken to identify failure modes.ResultsClinically relevant herniation features were observed in all models—including endplate and annulus fibrosus (AF) tearing, AF delamination, vertebral body (VB) fracture, nucleus pulposus (NP) extrusion into VB, and radial NP movement. Bovine lumbar, porcine cervical, and porcine lumbar segments exhibited high rates of radial NP movement (84%, 100%, and 67%, respectively), with ovine lumbar discs displaying VB fracture (84%) and NP extrusions into the VB (67%). Bovine tail discs showed minimal damage but were characterized by sequential lamellar AF tears (67%).ConclusionsPorcine cervical, bovine lumbar, and porcine lumbar discs are suitable for annulus-failure herniation research, although porcine cervical discs may be the most appropriate due to exhibiting the highest rate of releva
AU - Slater,TD
AU - Gagliostri,B
AU - Kibble,MJ
AU - Tümer,NS
AU - Cripton,PA
AU - Newell,N
DO - 10.1002/jsp2.70116
PY - 2025///
SN - 2572-1143
TI - A comparison of five animal models for acute intervertebral disc herniation research
T2 - JOR Spine
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jsp2.70116
UR - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jsp2.70116
VL - 8
ER -