College of Biological Science

Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences

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Email: shmbrown@uoguelph.ca

Office: ANNU 330B

Ext: 53651

Lab: ANNU 358, 362

 

Dr. Brown’s research is focused on the functional biomechanics and physiology of the lumbar spine and spine musculature, as well as muscle function, innervation and control. This research allows for further investigation into injury, adaptation and rehabilitation of the lumbar spine and associated tissues. This is partially done by testing the passive and active mechanical properties of spinal muscles and their interaction with the structure and function of the spine.

We have recently collaborated with Drs Thomas Koch, Tom Gibson, and Stephanie Nykamp at the OVC on a project that examined muscle degeneration in dogs with spinal disorders. We are currently collaborating with Dr Cheryle Séguin at the University of Western Ontario to study the remodeling of spinal muscles in an ENT1 deficient mouse model. Finally, we are collaborating with Dr Tom Oxland at the University of British Columbia on a project to examine muscle structure and function in patients being surgically treated for spinal disorders.

     Recent publications relating to regenerative medicine (2012-present):

1. *Gsell, K.Y., *Zwambag, D.P., Fournier, D.E., Séguin, C.A., Brown, S.H.M. (in press). Paraspinal muscle passive stiffness remodels in direct response to spine stiffness: a study using the ENT1 deficient mouse. Spine.
2. *Frost, L.R., Brown, S.H.M. (2016). Neuromuscular ultrasound imaging in low back pain patients with radiculopathy. Manual Therapy, 21, 83-88.
3. Lerer, A., Nykamp, S.G., *Harriss, A.B., Gibson, T.W.G., Koch, T., Brown, S.H.M. (2015). MRI-based relationships between spine pathology, intervertebral disc degeneration and muscle fatty infiltration in chondrodystrophic and non-chondrodystrophic dogs. The Spine Journal, 15, 2433-2439.
4. *Zwambag, D.P., *Ricketts, T.A., Brown, S.H.M. (2014). Sarcomere length organization as a design for cooperative function amongst all lumbar spine muscles. Journal of Biomechanics, 47, 2087-2093.
5. Brown, S.H.M., Carr, J.A., Ward, S.R., Lieber, R.L. (2012). Passive mechanical properties of rat abdominal wall muscles suggest a special role of the extracellular connective tissue matrix. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 30, 1321-1326.