Dr Michelle Lawson
BSc, PhD, FHEA
Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health
School Director of Postgraduate Research
Senior Lecturer in Bone and Cancer Biology
+44 114 215 9054
Full contact details
Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health
Office EU22, E Floor
The Medical School
Beech Hill Road
Sheffield
S10 2RX
- Profile
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For enquiries please contact - ClinMed-Operational@sheffield.ac.uk
I graduated from the University of Sheffield in 1997 with a BSc (Hons) in Molecular Biology. I obtained my PhD in 2000 from the University of Bristol, after conducting my research at the Institute of Animal Health, investigating the use of cytokines as DNA vaccine adjuvants.
In 2000 I began my research career in the field of bone biology at the University of Oxford. While there I developed various biomaterials for bone scaffolding and a novel technique to measure the bone binding affinities of bisphosphonates, drugs used in the prevention of bone disease.
In 2005 I moved back to the University of Sheffield where I worked in Professor Peter Croucher’s Bone Biology Group and my research involved looking at the effects of bisphosphonates in preclinical models of multiple myeloma. I also developed a novel microscopy technique to allow the visualization of single dormant cancer cells in bone. Together this research has led to the identification of several key molecules involved in the early stages of myeloma and its associated bone disease. I am currently a Senior Lecturer in Bone and Cancer Biology in the Department of Oncology and Metabolism and I lead the Sheffield Myeloma Research Team (SMaRT). My main research interests are myeloma-induced bone disease, dormant tumour cells, and the use of oncolytic adenoviruses to combat myeloma and lymphoma.
- Research interests
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I have developed and established several preclinical murine models of myeloma to study therapeutic intervention in the early, mid and late stages of the disease. This has led to an increased understanding of the role of the bone marrow microenvironment and how it influences tumour growth and tumour cell dormancy. I am currently investigating the use of standard of care anti-myeloma drugs in combination with bone modulating agents to repair myeloma-induced bone disease; and using existing (standard of care therapies) or novel agents (oncolytic viruses) to target myeloma cells (proliferating and dormant) in the bone marrow microenvironment, with the aim of translating these findings into patients. I am currently collaborating with Theolytics to harness viruses to combat myeloma (https://www.theolytics.com/post/1m-project-with-innovateuk-for-multiple-myeloma).
- Publications
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Show: Featured publications All publications
Featured publications
Journal articles
- The use of oncolytic viruses in the treatment of multiple myeloma. Cancers, 13(22).
- Myeloma bone disease : the osteoblast in the spotlight. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(17).
- Reovirus-induced cell-mediated immunity for the treatment of multiple myeloma within the resistant bone marrow niche. Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, 9(3).
- Multiple myeloma—A painful disease of the bone marrow. Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology, 112, 49-58.
- The E3 ligase HUWE1 inhibition as a therapeutic strategy to target MYC in multiple myeloma. Oncogene, 39(27), 5001-5014.
- TGFβ Inhibition Stimulates Collagen Maturation to Enhance Bone Repair and Fracture Resistance in a Murine Myeloma Model. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 34(12), 2311-2326.
- Preventing and repairing myeloma bone disease by combining conventional antiresorptive treatment with a bone anabolic agent in murine models. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
- The Pharmacological Profile of a Novel Highly Potent Bisphosphonate, OX14 (1‐Fluoro‐2‐(Imidazo‐[1,2‐α]Pyridin‐3‐yl)‐Ethyl‐Bisphosphonate). Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 32(9), 1860-1869.
- Osteoclasts control reactivation of dormant myeloma cells by remodelling the endosteal niche. Nature Communications, 6(1), ---.
- A review of current murine models of multiple myeloma used to assess the efficacy of therapeutic agents on tumour growth and bone disease. Bone, 77, 57-68.
- NOD/SCID-GAMMA Mice Are an Ideal Strain to Assess the Efficacy of Therapeutic Agents Used in the Treatment of Myeloma Bone Disease. PLOS ONE, 10(3), e0119546-e0119546.
Chapters
- In vivo models used in studies of bone metastases, Bone Cancer (pp. 35-53). Elsevier
- Biological relationship between bone and myeloma cells, Bone Cancer (pp. 1005-1017). Elsevier
- Role of The Osteoclast in Cancer, Encyclopedia of Bone Biology (pp. 180-200). Elsevier
- In vivo models used in studies of bone metastases, Bone Cancer: Primary Bone Cancers and Bone Metastases: Second Edition (pp. 503-518).
All publications
Journal articles
- HSV1716 prevents myeloma cell regrowth when combined with bortezomib in vitro and significantly reduces systemic tumor growth in mouse models. Viruses, 15(3).
- P-133: Myeloma-induced bone pain: lessons learnt from a localized, immunocompetent mouse model. Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia, 22, S108-S108.
- The use of oncolytic viruses in the treatment of multiple myeloma. Cancers, 13(22).
- The P2RX7B splice variant modulates osteosarcoma cell behaviour and metastatic properties. Journal of Bone Oncology, 31, 100398-100398.
- Myeloma bone disease : the osteoblast in the spotlight. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(17).
- Reovirus-induced cell-mediated immunity for the treatment of multiple myeloma within the resistant bone marrow niche. Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, 9(3).
- Advances in murine models of breast cancer bone disease. Journal of Cancer Metastasis and Treatment, 7.
- Multiple myeloma—A painful disease of the bone marrow. Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology, 112, 49-58.
- JZL184, a monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor, induces bone loss in a multiple myeloma model of immunocompetent mice. Calcified Tissue International, 107(1), 72-85.
- The E3 ligase HUWE1 inhibition as a therapeutic strategy to target MYC in multiple myeloma. Oncogene, 39(27), 5001-5014.
- Differential pain-related behaviors and bone disease in immunocompetent mouse models of myeloma. JBMR Plus, 4(2).
- TGFβ Inhibition Stimulates Collagen Maturation to Enhance Bone Repair and Fracture Resistance in a Murine Myeloma Model. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 34(12), 2311-2326.
- Corrigendum to “Sostdc1: A soluble BMP and Wnt antagonist that is induced by the interaction between myeloma cells and osteoblast lineage cells” [Bone 122 (May 2019) 82–92]. Bone, 124, 166-166.
- Sostdc1: A soluble BMP and Wnt antagonist that is induced by the interaction between myeloma cells and osteoblast lineage cells. Bone, 122, 82-92.
- Myeloma-Specific Oncolytic Adenovirus Induces Significant Tumour Oncolysis In Vitro and In Vivo and Prevents Cell Line Regrowth. Blood, 132(Supplement 1), 3213-3213.
- Preventing and repairing myeloma bone disease by combining conventional antiresorptive treatment with a bone anabolic agent in murine models. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
- ARQ-197, a small-molecule inhibitor of c-Met, reduces tumour burden and prevents myeloma-induced bone disease in vivo.. PLoS One, 13(6).
- New agents in the Treatment of Myeloma Bone Disease. Calcified Tissue International, 102(2), 196-209. View this article in WRRO
- The Pharmacological Profile of a Novel Highly Potent Bisphosphonate, OX14 (1‐Fluoro‐2‐(Imidazo‐[1,2‐α]Pyridin‐3‐yl)‐Ethyl‐Bisphosphonate). Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 32(9), 1860-1869.
- Low-dose methotrexate in myeloproliferative neoplasm models.. Haematologica, 102, e336-e339.
- The pharmacological profile of a novel highly potent bisphosphonate, OX14 (1-fluoro-2-(imidazo-[1,2 alpha]pyridin-3-yl)ethyl-bisphosphonate), with reduced bone affinity, which is as effective as zoledronate in the treatment of myeloma bone disease in JJN3-NOD/SCID-[gamma] mice. Bone Abstracts.
- Osteolytica: An automated image analysis software package that rapidly measures cancer-induced osteolytic lesions in in vivo models with greater reproducibility compared to other commonly used methods. Bone, 83, 9-16.
- Osteoclasts control reactivation of dormant myeloma cells by remodelling the endosteal niche. Nature Communications, 6(1), ---.
- Mitotic quiescence, but not unique “stemness,” marks the phenotype of bone metastasis-initiating cells in prostate cancer. The FASEB Journal, 29(8), 3141-3150. View this article in WRRO
- A review of current murine models of multiple myeloma used to assess the efficacy of therapeutic agents on tumour growth and bone disease. Bone, 77, 57-68.
- Myeloma bone disease: pathogenesis, current treatments and future targets. British Medical Bulletin, 111(1), 117-138.
- A novel antagonist of the canonical Wnt-signalling pathway, Sostdc1, is expressed in experimental models of myeloma and suppresses bone formation. Bone Abstracts.
- Targeting tumour-initiating cells with TRAIL based combination therapy ensures complete and lasting eradication of multiple myeloma tumours in vivo.. PLoS One, 7(5), e35830. View this article in WRRO
- Soluble rank ligand produced by myeloma cells causes generalised bone loss in multiple myeloma.. PLoS One, 7(8), e41127. View this article in WRRO
- Bisphosphonate therapy in the treatment of multiple myeloma.. Curr Pharm Des, 16(27), 3028-3036.
- Optimal bone strength and mineralization requires the type 2 iodothyronine deiodinase in osteoblasts. P NATL ACAD SCI USA, 107(16), 7604-7609.
- Targeting RANK/RANKL in the treatment of solid tumours and myeloma.. Curr Pharm Des, 16(11), 1272-1283.
- Differences between bisphosphonates in binding affinities for hydroxyapatite. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials, 92B(1), 149-155.
- Development of reagents to study the turkey's immune response: Identification and molecular cloning of turkey CD4, CD8α and CD28. Developmental & Comparative Immunology, 33(4), 540-546.
- Geranylgeranyl transferase type II inhibition prevents myeloma bone disease.. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 377(2), 453-457.
- Inhibition of p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Prevents the Development of Osteolytic Bone Disease, Reduces Tumor Burden, and Increases Survival in Murine Models of Multiple Myeloma. Cancer Research, 67(10), 4572-4577.
- Refining the use of hydroxyapatite column chromatography to reveal differences in relative binding affinities of bisphosphonates. Bone, 38(3), 55.
- Substitution of the R1 hydroxyl and C1 phosphate of risedronate produces differences in elution profiles on hydroxyapatite ceramic chromatographic columns. Bone, 38(3), 63-64.
- Comparison of bone marrow cell growth on 2D and 3D alginate hydrogels. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine, 16(6), 515-519.
- Adhesion and growth of bone marrow stromal cells on modified alginate hydrogels. Tissue Engineering, 10(9-10), 1480-1491.
- Adhesion and Growth of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells on Modified Alginate Hydrogels. Tissue Engineering, 10(9), 1480-1491.
- Evaluation of sodium alginate for bone marrow cell tissue engineering. Biomaterials, 24(20), 3475-3481.
- Protection of turkeys against Chlamydophila psittaci challenge by parenteral and mucosal inoculations and the effect of turkey interferon-gamma on genetic immunization. Immunology, 103(1), 106-112.
- Turkey and chicken interferon-γ, which share high sequence identity, are biologically cross-reactive. Developmental & Comparative Immunology, 25(1), 69-82.
- Turkey and Chicken Interleukin-2 Cross-React inIn VitroProliferation Assays Despite Limited Amino Acid Sequence Identity. Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research, 20(2), 161-170.
- Metastatic infiltration of nervous tissue and periosteal nerve sprouting in multiple myeloma induced bone pain in mice and human. The Journal of Neuroscience.
- The strategy and clinical relevance of in vitro models of MAP resistance in osteosarcoma: a systematic review. Oncogene.
- NOD/SCID-GAMMA Mice Are an Ideal Strain to Assess the Efficacy of Therapeutic Agents Used in the Treatment of Myeloma Bone Disease. PLOS ONE, 10(3), e0119546-e0119546.
- Targeted magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia for the treatment of oral cancer. Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine. View this article in WRRO
Chapters
- In vivo models used in studies of bone metastases, Bone Cancer (pp. 35-53). Elsevier
- Biological relationship between bone and myeloma cells, Bone Cancer (pp. 1005-1017). Elsevier
- Role of The Osteoclast in Cancer, Encyclopedia of Bone Biology (pp. 180-200). Elsevier
- Antiresorptives, The Duration and Safety of Osteoporosis Treatment (pp. 17-36). Springer International Publishing
- In vivo models used in studies of bone metastases, Bone Cancer (pp. 503-518). Elsevier
- List of Contributors, Bone Cancer (pp. xi-xv). Elsevier
- In vivo models used in studies of bone metastases, Bone Cancer: Primary Bone Cancers and Bone Metastases: Second Edition (pp. 503-518).
- In vivo Models Used in Studies of Bone Metastases, Bone Cancer (pp. 347-363). Elsevier
- List of Contributors, Bone Cancer (pp. xi-xv). Elsevier
- In vivo models used in studies of bone metastases, Bone Cancer (pp. 347-363).
Conference proceedings papers
- Mechanisms of Bone Pain in Multiple Myeloma: Involvement of Periosteal Bone Sprouting. JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Vol. 38 (pp 55-56)
- Myeloma-induced bone pain: lessons learnt from a localized, immunocompetent mouse model. CLINICAL LYMPHOMA MYELOMA & LEUKEMIA, Vol. 22 (pp S108-S108)
- Myeloma-specific oncolytic adenovirus induces significant tumour oncolysis in vitro and in vivo and prevents cell line regrowth. BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Vol. 185 (pp 97-97)
- Preventing and repairing myeloma bone disease by combining zoledronic acid with TGF beta inhibition therapy. BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Vol. 185 (pp 16-16)
- P2X7R in primary bone cancer. PURINERGIC SIGNALLING, Vol. 14 (pp S13-S14)
- Targeting free light chain (FLC) secretion and the unfolded protein response in myeloma cells using VaN, a combination of repurposed drugs. Experimental Hematology, Vol. 64(Suppl) (pp S74-S75). Los Angeles, USA, 23 August 2018 - 26 August 2018. View this article in WRRO
- Abstract 18: Evaluating the contribution of anti-myeloma immunity for the efficacy of oncolytic reovirus therapy (pp 18-18)
- View this article in WRRO Evaluating the contribution of anti-myeloma immunity for the efficacy of oncolytic reovirus therapy.. CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH, Vol. 23(24) (pp 44-44)
- Multiphoton imaging of individual myeloma cells in calvariae: Association of myeloma development with sites of bone turnover. BONE, Vol. 48(1) (pp S14-S14)
- Targeting tumour-initiating cells with trail based combination therapy ensures complete and lasting eradication of multiple myeloma tumours in vivo. BONE, Vol. 48(1) (pp S15-S15)
- Imaging and quantitation of multiple myeloma in calvariae. BONE, Vol. 47 (pp S328-S328)
- Soluble RANK ligand produced by myeloma cells contributes to generalised bone loss in multiple myeloma. BONE, Vol. 44 (pp S162-S162)
- Localising individual myeloma cells to the myeloma 'niche' in bone using multiphoton microscopy. BONE, Vol. 44 (pp S164-S164)
- Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates and prediction of their clinical potencies: Dissociation of target enzyme- and hydroxyapatite-binding affinities. JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Vol. 22(7) (pp 1125-1125)
- Predicting pharmacological potencies of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates; novel methods dissociate enzyme- and hydroxyapatite-binding affinities. BONE, Vol. 40(6) (pp S301-S302)
- Predicting the clinical potencies of bisphosphonates: Divergence of hydroxyapatite and farnesyl diphosphate synthase binding affinities. CALCIFIED TISSUE INTERNATIONAL, Vol. 80 (pp S155-S155)
- Risedronate prevents bone disease and reduces turnour burden in a syngeneic model of multiple myeloma.. JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Vol. 21 (pp S137-S137)
- Refining structure activity relationships among nitrogen containing bisphosphonates: Dissociation of mineral binding affinity and inhibitory potency on farnesyl diphosphate synthase.. JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Vol. 21 (pp S183-S183)
- A novel method to characterize relative mineral binding affinities of bisphosphonates and the structural requirements for binding by using ceramic hydroxyapatite column chromatography.. JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Vol. 21 (pp S191-S191)
- Risedronate prevents bone disease and reduces tumour burden in a syngeneic model of multiple myeloma. JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Vol. 21(7) (pp 1160-1160)
- Substitutions in the R1 hydroxyl and C1 phosphate positions significantly affect binding of risedronate during hydroxyapatite ceramic chromatography. JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Vol. 21(7) (pp 1168-1168)
- Risedronate prevents bone disease and reduces tumour burden in a syngeneic model of multiple myeloma. CANCER TREATMENT REVIEWS, Vol. 32 (pp S35-S35)
- Potential bone mineral binding differences among bisphosphonates can be demonstrated by the use of hydroxyapatite column chromatography.. JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Vol. 20(9) (pp S396-S396)
- Differences in the potential binding of phosphate containing compounds to bone mineral are revealed by the novel use of hydroxyapatite column chromatography. JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Vol. 20(7) (pp 1303-1303)
- The use of hydroxyapatite column chromatography as a novel method to reveal differences in relative binding affinities of bisphosphonates. BONE, Vol. 36 (pp S308-S309)
- Comparison of 2D and 3D bone marrow cell growth on alginate hydrogels. Transactions - 7th World Biomaterials Congress (pp 154)
- Behaviour of bone marrow stromal cells on and within alginate gels for potential use in tissue engineering procedures. Transactions - 7th World Biomaterials Congress (pp 913)
Preprints
- A repurposed drug combination (VaN) inhibits free light chain secretion and triggers the terminal unfolded protein response (UPR) in multiple myeloma (MM), Research Square Platform LLC.
- Metastatic infiltration of nervous tissue and periosteal nerve sprouting in multiple myeloma induced bone pain, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
- The P2RX7B splice variant modulates osteosarcoma cell behaviour and metastatic properties.
- Grants
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- Innovate UK award (UK Biomedical Catalyst 2022-2025) Preclinical validation of a novel oncolytic viral therapy for multiple myeloma targeting readiness for clinical trials. Dr M.A. Lawson & Dr A.D. Chantry (£127,545). 10017183
- Sheffield Hospitals Charity Project Award (2021-2022). Treating plasmacytoma using direct injection of a novel engineered myeloma specific virus. Dr M.A. Lawson (£24,275). No. 173173
- Sheffield Hospitals Charity Project Award (2021-2022). The effect of targeting hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) combined with chemotherapy on tumour load in myeloma. Dr M.A. Lawson (£13,891). No. 173345
- NC3Rs studentship award (2021-2023). Development and validation of 3D in vitro dormant myeloma cell models to reduce and replace animal studies. Dr M.A. Lawson, Alana Green & Frederik Claeyssens (£90,000). NC/V00137X/1
- Sheffield Hospitals Charity Project Award (2021-2022). Targeting minimal residual disease to find a cure for myeloma. Dr A. Green, Dr A.D. Chantry, Dr M.A. Lawson (£42,862). No. 169591
- Sheffield Hospitals Charity Project Award (2020-2021). Assessing SD208 (a novel bone anabolic agent) as equivalent or superior in the treatment of myeloma bone; an in vivo explorative study. Dr R. Andrews, Dr Chantry & Dr M.A. Lawson (£41,000). 163969
- Sheffield Hospitals Charity Project Award (2020-2021). Oncolytic advenovirus therapy for multiple myeloma. Dr Chantry & Dr M.A. Lawson (£41,143). No. 202014
- Oxford Biomedica (2019-2020) Clinical collaboration using CAR-T cells therapy. Dr M. A. Lawson (£13,400).
- Shin Poong Pharma (2017-2018). Testing a potential bone anabolic agent (SP-35454) in multiple myeloma, Dr M. A. Lawson (£140,000).
- Bone Cancer Research Trust (2015-2018). PhD studentship: Purinergic Signalling in Osteosarcoma, Dr A. Gartland & Dr M.A. Lawson (£147,000). BCRT Grant No. 44/15.
- British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (2106-218) Project Grant: Investigating the potential of statins to prevent and treat Anti-Resorptive agent induced Osteonecrosis of the Jaw, Dr M. A. Lawson, Ibraz Siddique & Alasdair McKechnie (£6384).
- Sheffield Blood Cancer Trust (2015). High potency, low affinity bisphosphonates pilot study, Dr A. Chantry, Dr M.A. Lawson, Prof. J. Snowden& Prof R.G.G. Russell (£8,000).
- Sheffield Hospitals Charity (2015). Investigating changes in the tumour bone microenvironment during the development of multiple myeloma and testing novel strategies for clinical intervention. Dr M.A. Lawson, J. Paton-Hough (Sheffield) & Dr F. Errington-Mais (University of Leeds) (£4,739).
- Bloodwise Project Grant (2018-2020). Targeting BMP signalling in the MGUS/MM bone microenvironment. Dr C. Edwards, Dr K. Ramasamy, Dr M.A. Lawson, H. Drakesmith, Dr S. Gooding & R. Kumar grant (£249,691). Grant no. 17012.
- Bloodwise Project Grant Investigating (2016-2019). E3 Ligase HUWE1 as a therapeutic target in multiple myeloma.Dr A. Irvine, Dr M.A. Lawson, M. Pearson, Dr L. Crawford, Prof M. Eilers & Dr A. Chantry (£202,080). Grant no. 15043.
- Bloodwise Project Grant (2015-2018). Preclinical testing of low dose valproate and niclosamide (VaN) as a novel anti-myeloma therapy. Dr F. Khanim, Dr M.A. Lawson& Prof. M Drayson (£245,864). Grant No. 15025.
- Bloodwise Specialist Programme Grant (2013-2018). Novel targets and therapeutic combinations in myeloma. Dr A. Chantry, Dr M.A. Lawson & Prof. J. Snowden (£1,142,591). Grant No. 12053.
- Teaching interests
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I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and the Postgraduate Research (PGR) Lead in the Department of Oncology and Metabolism. I am also a Module Lead for the MSc (Res) in Translational Oncology course and I regularly lecture on the Molecular Medicine MSc course on in vitro and in vivo models of bone cancer. I frequently supervise laboratory research projects for PhD, MSc, BMedSci, SSC, Erasmus and Hallam placement students.
- Professional activities and memberships
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I have been involved in several public engagement activities. I have secured funding that enabled me to build a “Giant Interactive Bone” to educate children of all ages on what is inside their bones. In addition, I regularly participate in Outreach activities with a variety of school children to teach them about why their bones are so important. I frequently do laboratory tours for fundraisers and patients with bone cancer, and I also participate in patient panel meetings to improve the services at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield.
- Public engagement activities
I have also been involved in a number of public engagement activities. I have secured funding that enabled me to build a “Giant Interactive Bone” to educate children of all ages on what is inside their bones. In addition, I regularly participate in Outreach activities with a variety of school children to teach them about why their bones are so important. I frequently do laboratory tours for fundraisers and patients with bone cancer, and I also participate in patient panel meetings to improve the services at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield.