The Genetics of Athletics

Collaboration involves combining the unique knowledge and talents of individuals into a single project, where the end result is much greater than its individual parts. Collaboration brings together great minds, unique perspectives and often leads to extraordinary results. As a collaborative research project, data obtained Project ACL will span health science categories, including biomechanics, exercise physiology, and human genetics.

In collaboration with Trevor Torigoe and Dr. Richard Allsopp of University of Hawaii's John A Burns School of Medicine, I have the opportunity to not only uncover the biomechanical risk factors, but also the genetic risk factors for ACL injury.

 

While visiting Hawaii, I made a stop by the lab where Trevor and Dr. Allsopp carry out their daily research. I saw shelves filled with various solutions, large pieces of research equipment and a few quiet scientists milling about at their work stations. I was even privy to the acquisition of genetic material from a saliva sample, which is the white substance you can see floating in the tubes in the photo below.

 

I am honored to be partnering with the John A Burns School of Medicine to add to the body of knowledge on sport-related injuries. I am very excited to be able to provide data collected through research funded by Project ACL that will bridge the gap between biomechanics and genetics and finally find answers to our questions about ACL injury.

Thank you for your support. Stay tuned for more updates and insights from the Project ACL team!

Kindly, Liz