Dr Jason Mansell

Jason Mansell is an Associate Professor (Hard Tissue Biology) in Biomedical Sciences within the Department of Applied Sciences. Jason took up this post in September 2013. In 1991 Jason obtained a first class BSc (Hons) degree in Applied & Human Biology (with professional training) at The University of Aston, Birmingham.  He then went on to work with Professor Allen Bailey of the Collagen Research Group, University of Bristol, Langford, where he gained his PhD (1994) on The Collagenous Matrix in Osteoporosis. He continued to work with Professor Bailey as an Arthritis Research UK Research Associate. During this time (1994 -1997) he turned his attention to bone matrix composition and metabolism in osteoarthritis.  After one post-doctoral position he was appointed as a non-clinical lecturer in Oral & Dental Science, University of Bristol, a post held for thirteen years. During his stay at the Dental School he conducted basic research pertaining to secondary palatogenesis, a dynamic model of intramembranous ossification. Research also extended to an examination of the differentiation response of human osteoblasts to active vitamin D3 metabolites and vitamin D receptor (VDR) agonists. In 2006 he discovered that a serum-borne lipid, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) co-operated with active vitamin D3 in securing the mature human osteoblast phenotype. He is the current lead in research exploring the biological actions of LPA on human osteoblasts, recognition of which has led to his invitation to write reviews and present at international meetings.  In January 2010 Jason took up the post of Senior Bone Biologist at the Musculoskeletal Research Unit, Southmead hospital, Bristol.  During this time he worked with Professor Ashley Blom, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and lead of the National Joint Registry. It was during this period where Jason worked closely with clinicians in devising news ways of improving the biological responses of contemporary bone biomaterial (e.g., titanium) surfaces. He has been principal or co-investigator of externally funded research grants with a total value in excess of £1.2 million. Jason has published ~50 research papers and two patents. Jason has graduated PhD students, Msc(R) students, MD students and Doctorates of Dental Surgery.

Jason’s research focus is on human osteoblast biology with emphasis on discovering novel routes to securing their maturation in a bone regenerative context. To this end his current interests are concerned with the facile bio-functionalisation of bone biomaterials with LPA and metabolically stabilised LPA analogues to increase residence time. Studies have recently extended to the fabrication of stably cross-linked bioresorbable hydrogels loaded with bioactive lysophospholipids conjugated to higher molecular weight species of human serum albumin. Collectively these translational areas of research activity have helped forge strong links with biomedical device companies (e.g., Corin, Cirencester).

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