The first paper presented a new mechanism of gradual ‘creep’ deformity in human vertebrae that can lead to ‘dowager’s hump’, an abnormal outward curvature of the spine. The second examined the efficacy of a recently developed technique (vertebroplasty) of injecting bone cement into a vertebra in order to treat osteoporotic vertebral fracture and prevent future deformity. Dr Jin Luo, who learned of his success on his last day at Bristol University and has since taken up a lectureship at Roehampton University, was the lead author on both papers.

The Spine Research Group is led by Dr Mike Adams and Dr Trish Dolan, and for the past 23 years has been funded by organisations including the Medical Research Council, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and charities such as Action Medical Research. It will soon come under the auspices of the newly formed Centre for Comparative and Clinical Anatomy.

Dr Adams said: ‘Jin will be sorely missed by the rest of the group, but these days young scientists have to follow their subject “themes” to progress their careers. These awards will help him get off to a flying start in London.’

Britspine 2010, held in Liverpool at the end of April, was the sixth combined meeting of the British Scoliosis Society, the Society for Back Pain Research and the British Association of Spinal Surgeons.