Prof Julia Shelton

Julia Shelton
BA, PhD

Professor of Biomechanical Engineering
Director of Operations for Centre for Doctoral Training in next generation organ-on-a-chip technology (CoACT)

School of Engineering and Materials Science
Queen Mary University of London
www.sems.qmul.ac.uk/staff/j.shelton
ORCID

Research

in vitro models of bone, multiscale modelling, total hip replacements, implant coatings, biomechanics, implant wear

Underpinning Bioengineering, Musculoskeletal Models

Interests

I am interested in the response of the body to implants during physiological use, and how to improve outcomes. This includes the development and testing of innovative coatings for Total Hip Replacements to reduce metal ion release and for these to be antibacterial. In addition we are developing an improved understanding of taper connections in modular implants through multiscale modelling to simulate the interaction of taper surfaces. This links to research using in vitro models and organ-chip technology to study bone remodelling.

Publications

solid heart iconPublications of specific relevance to Predictive in vitro Models

2023

Influence of Taper surface topographies on contact deformation and stresses
Diaz-Lopez RA, Wen PH and Shelton JC
Journal of The Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, Elsevier vol. 148 
28-10-2023

2022

Influence of taper design and loading on taper micromotion
Diaz-Lopez RA, Wen PH and Shelton JC
Journal of The Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, Elsevier vol. 128 
29-01-2022

2021

Sub-toxic levels of cobalt ions impair mechanostranduction via HDAC6-depedent primary cilia shortening.
Wu H, Wang Z, Liu S, Meng H, Shelton JC, Thompson CL, Fu S and Knight MM
Biochem Biophys Res Commun 
15-04-2021

2020

Activation of synovial fibroblasts from patients at revision of their metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty
Xu J, Yang J, Chen J, Zhang X, Wu Y, Hart A, Nyga A and Shelton JC
Particle and Fibre Toxicology, Biomed Central vol. 17 (1), 42-42.  
27-08-2020
3D models of chondrocytes within biomimetic scaffolds: Effects of cell deformation from loading regimens
Di Federico E, Bader DL and Shelton JC
Clinical Biomechanics, Elsevier Bv 
07-02-2020

2019

Sub-toxic levels of Co2+ are anti-inflammatory and protect cartilage from degradation caused by IL-1β
Fu S, Meng H, Freer F, Kwon J, Shelton JC and Knight MM
Clinical Biomechanics, Elsevier vol. 79 
24-12-2019
An electrochemical study of acrylate bone adhesive permeability and selectivity change during in vitro ageing: a model approach to the study of biomaterials and membrane barriers
VADGAMA PM
Analytica Chimica Acta, Elsevier Masson 
04-03-2019

2018

Mechanical loading induces primary cilia disassembly in tendon cells via TGFβ and HDAC6
Rowson DT, Shelton JC, Screen HRC and Knight MM
Scientific Reports, Springer Nature vol. 8 (1) 
23-07-2018
Cobalt ions stimulate a fibrotic response through matrix remodelling, fibroblast contraction and release of pro-fibrotic signals from macrophages
Xu J, Nyga A, Li W, Zhang X, Gavara N, Knight MM and Shelton JC
European Cells and Materials vol. 36, 142-155.  
01-07-2018
Prediction of taper performance using quasi static FE models: The influence of loading and taper clearance and trunnion length
SHELTON JC
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research: Part B - Applied Biomaterials 
10-04-2018
Cobalt (II) ions and nanoparticles induce macrophage retention by ROS-mediated downregulation of RhoA expression
SHELTON JC
Acta Biomaterialia, Elsevier vol. 72, 434-446.  
09-04-2018
Cobalt (II) ions and nanoparticles induce macrophage retention by ROS-mediated down-regulation of RhoA expression.
Xu J, Yang J, Nyga A, Ehteramyan M, Moraga A, Wu Y, Zeng L, Knight MM and Shelton JC
Acta Biomater vol. 72, 434-446.  
09-04-2018

2017

Simulator Study of MOM using Steep-cup Flexion - A Clinically Relevant Incorporation of Intermittent Edge-loading
Clarke I, Shelton J, Bowsher J, Savisaar C and Donaldson T
Reconstructive Review, Joint Implant Surgery and Research Foundation vol. 7 (3) 
01-10-2017
Complex mechanical conditioning of cell-seeded agarose constructs can influence chondrocyte biosynthetic activity
Di Federico E, SHELTON JC and Bader DL
Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Wiley 
23-03-2017

2016

Measurement outcomes from hip simulators
de Villiers D and Shelton JC
Proceedings of The Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part H Journal of Engineering in Medicine, Sage Publications vol. 230 (5), 398-405.  
17-02-2016

2015

The increase in cobalt release in metal-on-polyethylene hip bearings in tests with third body abrasives
de Villiers D, Traynor A, Collins SN and Shelton JC
Proceedings of The Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part H Journal of Engineering in Medicine, Sage Publications vol. 229 (9), 611-618.  
15-07-2015
Chromium nitride coating for large diameter metal-on-polyethylene hip bearings under extreme adverse hip simulator conditions
de Villiers D, Traynor A, Collins SN, Banfield S, Housden J and Shelton JC
Wear, Elsevier vol. 328, 363-368.  
01-04-2015

2014

Design and validation of an in vitro loading system for the combined application of cyclic compression and shear to 3D chondrocytes-seeded agarose constructs.
Di Federico E, Bader DL and Shelton JC
Med Eng Phys vol. 36 (4), 534-540.  
01-04-2014
Deformation of uncemented metal acetabular cups following impaction: Experimental and finite element study
Hothi HS, Busfield JJC and Shelton JC
Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering vol. 17 (11), 1261-1274.  
01-01-2014

2013

Microstructural stress relaxation mechanics in functionally different tendons.
Screen HRC, Toorani S and Shelton JC
Med Eng Phys vol. 35 (1), 96-102.  
01-01-2013
Microstructural stress relaxation mechanics in functionally different tendons
Screen HRC, Toorani S and Shelton JC
Medical Engineering and Physics vol. 35 (1), 96-102.  
01-01-2013

2012

Simple isolation method for the bulk isolation of wear particles from metal on metal bearing surfaces generated in a hip simulator test
Lu F, Royle M, Lali FV, Hart AJ, Collins S, Housden J and Shelton JC
Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine vol. 23 (4), 891-901.  
01-04-2012
Simple isolation method for the bulk isolation of wear particles from metal on metal bearing surfaces generated in a hip simulator test
Lu F, Royle M, Lali FV, Hart AJ, Collins S, Housden J and Shelton JC
Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine, 1-11.  
01-01-2012

2011

Quantifying the wear of acetabular cups using coordinate metrology
Morris B, Zou L, Royle M, Simpson D and Shelton JC
Wear vol. 271 (7-8), 1086-1092.  
18-07-2011
Explicit finite element modelling of the impaction of metal press-fit acetabular components
Hothi HS, Busfield JJC and Shelton JC
Proceedings of The Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine vol. 225 (3), 303-314.  
01-03-2011

2010

Challenges of developing engineering students' writing through peer assessment
McConlogue T, Mueller J and Shelton J
Engineering Education 2010: Inspiring The Next Generation of Engineers, Ee 2010 
01-12-2010
Functional analysis of tenocytes gene expression in tendon fascicles subjected to cyclic tensile strain
Maeda E, Fleischmann C, Mein CA, Shelton JC, Bader DL and Lee DA
Connective Tissue Research vol. 51 (6), 434-444.  
01-12-2010

2009

Effect of intermittent cyclic tensile strain on collagen synthesis by tenocytes in isolated fascicles
Maeda E, Shelton JC, Bader DL and Lee DA
Journal of Biomechanical Science and Engineering vol. 4 (4), 510-517.  
01-12-2009
Influence of cup orientation on the wear performance of metal-on-metal hip replacements
Angadji A, Royle M, Collins SN and Shelton JC
Proceedings of The Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine vol. 223 (4), 449-457.  
01-04-2009
Differential regulation of gene expression in isolated tendon fascicles exposed to cyclic tensile strain in vitro
Maeda E, Shelton JC, Bader DL and Lee DA
Journal of Applied Physiology vol. 106 (2), 506-512.  
01-02-2009
Cell-generated forces influence the viability, metabolism and mechanical properties of fibroblast-seeded collagen gel constructs.
Berry CC, Shelton JC and Lee DA
J Tissue Eng Regen Med vol. 3 (1), 43-53.  
01-01-2009

2008

Characterizing structure-function relationships in tendon
Toorani S, Shelton JC and Screen HRC
8th World Biomaterials Congress 2008 vol. 2 
01-12-2008
Affect of cup positioning on the wear performance and wear particles from metal-on-metal hip replacements
Angadji A, Grossmann H, Royle M, Collins SN and Shelton JC
8th World Biomaterials Congress 2008 vol. 2 
01-12-2008
Collagen synthesis by tenocytes in fascicles subjected to intermittent cyclic strain
Maeda E, Shelton JC, Bader DL and Lee DA
European Cells and Materials vol. 16 (SUPPL. 3) 
01-07-2008
Development and validation of a novel bioreactor system for load- and perfusion-controlled tissue engineering of chondrocyte-constructs
Schulz RM, Wüstneck N, Van Donkelaar CC, Shelton JC and Bader A
Biotechnology and Bioengineering vol. 101 (4), 714-728.  
11-01-2008
Configuration of anchorage holes affects cemented fixation of the acetabular component in total hip replacement: an in vitro study.
Mootanah R, Jarrett P, Ingle P, Cheah K, Dowell JK and Shelton JC
Technol Health Care vol. 16 (1), 19-30.  
01-01-2008

2007

Configuration of anchorage holes affects fixation of the acetabular component in cemented total hip replacement--a finite element study.
Mootanah R, Dowell JK, Cheah K, Ingle P and Shelton JC
Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin vol. 10 (6), 439-445.  
01-12-2007
Time dependence of cyclic tensile strain on collagen production in tendon fascicles.
Maeda E, Shelton JC, Bader DL and Lee DA
Biochem Biophys Res Commun vol. 362 (2), 399-404.  
19-10-2007

2006

The influence of swelling and matrix degradation on the microstructural integrity of tendon.
Screen HRC, Chhaya VH, Greenwald SE, Bader DL, Lee DA and Shelton JC
Acta Biomater vol. 2 (5), 505-513.  
01-09-2006
'Severe' wear challenge to 'as-cast' and 'double heat-treated' large-diameter metal-on-metal hip bearings
Bowsher JG, Nevelos J, Williams PA and Shelton JC
P I Mech Eng H vol. 220 (H2), 135-143.  
01-02-2006
Metal-on-metal hip simulator study of increased wear particle surface area due to 'severe' patient activity.
Bowsher JG, Hussain A, Williams PA and Shelton JC
Proc Inst Mech Eng H vol. 220 (2), 279-287.  
01-02-2006

2005

Cyclic mechanical conditioning of isolated tendon fascicles results in an upregulation of collagen production
Screen HRC, Bader DL, Shelton JC and Lee DA
Proceedings of The 2005 Summer Bioengineering Conference vol. 2005, 193-194.  
01-12-2005
Cyclic tensile strain upregulates collagen synthesis in isolated tendon fascicles.
Screen HRC, Shelton JC, Bader DL and Lee DA
Biochem Biophys Res Commun vol. 336 (2), 424-429.  
21-10-2005
The influence of noncollagenous matrix components on the micromechanical environment of tendon fascicles.
Screen HRC, Shelton JC, Chhaya VH, Kayser MV, Bader DL and Lee DA
Ann Biomed Eng vol. 33 (8), 1090-1099.  
01-08-2005
Blood flow and damage by the roller pumps during cardiopulmonary bypass
Mulholland JW, Shelton JC and Luo XY
J Fluid Struct vol. 20 (1), 129-140.  
01-01-2005

2004

Effect of ion implantation on the tribology of metal-on-metal hip prostheses.
Bowsher JG, Hussain A, Williams P, Nevelos J and Shelton JC
J Arthroplasty vol. 19 (8 Suppl 3), 107-111.  
01-12-2004
Local Strain Measurement within Tendon
Bader DL, Shelton JC, Lee DA and SCREEN HRC
Strain vol. 40 (4), 157-163.  
01-11-2004
Confocal analysis of local and cellular strains in chondrocyte-agarose constructs subjected to mechanical shear.
Sawae Y, Shelton JC, Bader DL and Knight MM
Ann Biomed Eng vol. 32 (6), 860-870.  
01-06-2004
Investigation of the molecular nature of low-molecular-mass cobalt(II) ions in isolated osteoarthritic knee-joint synovial fluid
Silwood CJL, Chikanza IC, Tanner KE, Shelton JC, Bowsher JG and Grootveld M
Free Radical Res vol. 38 (6), 561-571.  
01-06-2004
Total hip replacement: Results of a postal survey of current practice on the cement fixation of the acetubular cup in the UK
Mootanah R, Ingle P, Cheah K, Dowell JK and Shelton JC
Hip International vol. 14 (3), 155-162.  
01-01-2004
An investigation into the effects of the hierarchical structure of tendon fascicles on micromechanical properties.
Screen HRC, Lee DA, Bader DL and Shelton JC
Proc Inst Mech Eng H vol. 218 (2), 109-119.  
01-01-2004
Metallurgical Considerations in the Wear of Metal-Metal Hip Bearings
Fisher J, SHELTON JC and Nevelos J
Hip International vol. 14, 1-10.  
01-01-2004

2003

Temporal regulation of chondrocyte metabolism in agarose constructs subjected to dynamic compression.
Chowdhury TT, Bader DL, Shelton JC and Lee DA
Arch Biochem Biophys vol. 417 (1), 105-111.  
01-09-2003
Influence of external uniaxial cyclic strain on oriented fibroblast-seeded collagen gels.
Berry CC, Shelton JC, Bader DL and Lee DA
Tissue Eng vol. 9 (4), 613-624.  
01-08-2003
Confocal Analysis of Local and Cellular Strains in Chondrocyte - Agarose Constructs Subjected to Shear.
Bader DL, SHELTON JC, Knight MM and Sawae Y
J Biochemical Engineering Asme 
01-01-2003
Mechanical conditioning influences the metabolic response of cell-seeded constructs.
Shelton JC, Bader DL and Lee DA
Cells Tissues Organs vol. 175 (3), 140-150.  
01-01-2003
Dermal fibroblasts respond to mechanical conditioning in a strain profile dependent manner.
Berry CC, Cacou C, Lee DA, Bader DL and Shelton JC
Biorheology vol. 40 (1-3), 337-345.  
01-01-2003
Development of a technique to determine strains in tendons using the cell nuclei.
Screen HRC, Lee DA, Bader DL and Shelton JC
Biorheology vol. 40 (1-3), 361-368.  
01-01-2003
alpha5beta1 integrin mediates mechanotransduction processes in TGFbeta-stimulated human chondrocyte / agarose constructs and subjected to dynamic compression.
Chowdhury TT, LEE DA, Salter DM, Shelton JC and Bader DL
Osteoarthritis Cartilage vol. 11 (Suppl 1), S2-S3.  
01-01-2003
Control of mechanotrasduction processes in dynamically stimulated human and bovine chondrocytes cultured in agarose constructs.
Chowdhury TT, Shelton JC, Bader DL and LEE DA
Internat. J. Artificial Organs vol. 26 (9), 858-858.  
01-01-2003

2002

The influence of uniaxial cyclic strain on orientated fibroblast seeded collagen gels
Berry CC, Shelton JC, Bader DL and Lee DA
Third Smith and Nephew International Symposium - Translating Tissue Engineering Into Products 
01-12-2002
Profile measurement of worn acetabular cup by holographic contouring
Kakunai S, Sakamoto T, Sakurai D, Aota Y and Shelton J
Jsme Int J C-Mech Sy vol. 45 (4), 1028-1032.  
01-12-2002
Enhancement of cancellous bone repair using particulates
SHELTON JC, Revell PA and Mushipe MT
Biomaterials vol. 23, 365-370.  
01-01-2002
Development of a technique to determine strains in tendons using the cell nuclei.
BADER DL, Shelton JC, Lee DA and Screen HRC
Biorheology vol. 40, 361-368.  
01-01-2002
Comparison of influence of cortical bone repair using autologous and Endobon particulates
SHELTON JC, Revell PA and Mushipe MT
J Mats Sci: Materials in Medicine vol. 13, 99-105.  
01-01-2002
Comparison between commercial calcium phosphate bone cements
Saadalla ME, Ahad N, Gibson IR and Shelton JC
, Editors: Brown S, Clarke I and Williams P. Bioceramics 14 vol. 218-2, 331-334.  
01-01-2002
The effects of bovine trabecular bone matrix particulates on cortical bone repair.
Mushipe MT, Revell PA and Shelton JC
J Mater Sci Mater Med vol. 13 (1), 99-105.  
01-01-2002
Non-collagenous matrix components influence the micromechanical environment of tenocytes within tendon fascicles subjected to tensile strain.
Bader DL, Shelton JC, Lee DA and SCREEN HRC
Eur. Cells Mat. vol. 4:S1, 41-42.  
01-01-2002
Cancellous bone repair using bovine trabecular bone matrix particulates.
Mushipe MT, Revell PA and Shelton JC
Biomaterials vol. 23 (2), 365-370.  
01-01-2002

2001

Measurements of sequential impressions of acetabula cups from a total hip joint replacement using a non-contact measurement system
Zou L, Samarawickrama DYD, Jovanovski V and Shelton JC
International Journal of Machine Tools & Manufacture vol. 41 (13-14), 2023-2030.  
01-10-2001
A hip simulator study of the influence of patient activity level on the wear of crosslinked polyethylene under smooth and roughened femoral conditions
SHELTON JC and Bowsher JG
Wear vol. 250 (1-2), 167-179.  
01-10-2001
Influence of training on reliability of surgical knots
Ind TEJ, Shelton JC and Shepherd JH
Brit J Obstet Gynaec vol. 108 (10), 1013-1016.  
01-10-2001

2000

Biological response of cyclic strain on developed cell seeded collagen gel model
Berry CC, Cacou C, Shelton JC, Bader DL and Lee DA
Second Smith and Nephew International Symposium - Tissue Engineering 2000: Advances in Tissue Engineering, Biomaterials and Cell 
01-12-2000
Investigation and quantification of the blood trauma caused by the combined dynamic forces experienced during cardiopulmonary bypass.
Mulholland JW, Massey W and Shelton JC
Perfusion vol. 15 (6), 485-494.  
01-11-2000
A system for monitoring the response of uniaxial strain on cell seeded collagen gels
Cacou C, Palmer D, Lee DA, Bader DL and Shelton JC
Med Eng Phys vol. 22 (5), 327-333.  
01-06-2000
Fixation of the acetabular cup in cemented total hip replacement: improving the anchorage hole profile using finite element method.
Mootanah R, Ingle P, Dowell J, Cheah K and Shelton JC
Technol Health Care vol. 8 (6), 343-355.  
01-01-2000

1998

Influence of aging heat treatment on mechanical properties of biomedical Ti-Zr based ternary alloys containing niobium.
Kobayashi E, Doi H, Yoneyama T, Hamanaka H, Gibson IR, Best SM, Shelton JC and Bonfield W
J Mater Sci Mater Med vol. 9 (11), 625-630.  
01-11-1998
Laser speckle photography to measure surface displacements on cortical bone--verification of an automated analysis system.
Mo N and Shelton JC
Med Eng Phys vol. 20 (8), 594-601.  
01-11-1998
Quantification of holographic fringe data: comparison of intact and implanted femurs.
Katz DM, Blatcher S and Shelton JC
Med Eng Phys vol. 20 (2), 114-123.  
01-03-1998

1996

Fatigue failure in a plasma sprayed hydroxyapatite coated titanium alloy
Forrest DJ, Shelton JC and Gregson PJ
Transactions of The Annual Meeting of The Society For Biomaterials in Conjunction With The International Biomaterials Symposium vol. 1 
01-12-1996
Multiaxial fatigue testing of medical grade titanium alloy
McDougall I, Gregson PJ and Shelton JC
Transactions of The Annual Meeting of The Society For Biomaterials in Conjunction With The International Biomaterials Symposium vol. 1 
01-12-1996
Alloy-design of titanium-zirconium based alloys containing niobium as biomedical materials
Kobayashi E, Doi H, Yoneyama T, Hamanaka H, Best SM, Shelton JC and Bonfield W
Transactions of The Annual Meeting of The Society For Biomaterials in Conjunction With The International Biomaterials Symposium vol. 2 
01-12-1996
Cutting thread at flexible endoscopy.
Gong F, Swain P, Kadirkamanathan S, Hepworth C, Laufer J, Shelton J and Mills T
Gastrointest Endosc vol. 44 (6), 667-674.  
01-12-1996
Strengths and weaknesses of laparoscopic and open mesh inguinal hernia repair: a randomized controlled experimental study.
Horgan LF, Shelton JC, O'Riordan DC, Moore DP, Winslet MC and Davidson BR
Br J Surg vol. 83 (10), 1463-1467.  
01-10-1996
Pull-out strength of screws from cortical bone in the maxillo-facial region
Shelton JC and Loukota RA
J Mater Sci-Mater M vol. 7 (4), 231-235.  
01-04-1996
A comparison of the strength of knots tied by hand and at laparoscopy.
Kadirkamanathan SS, Shelton JC, Hepworth CC, Laufer JG and Swain CP
J Am Coll Surg vol. 182 (1), 46-54.  
01-01-1996

1995

Mechanical analysis of maxillofacial miniplates.
Loukota RA and Shelton JC
Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg vol. 33 (3), 174-179.  
01-06-1995
ARE KNOTS TIED AT LAPAROSCOPY AS SECURE AS HAND TIED KNOTS
KADIRKAMANATHAN SS, LAUFER JG, HEPWORTH CC, SHELTON JC and SWAIN CP
Gastrointest Endosc vol. 41 (4), 432-432.  
01-04-1995

1993

Hydrogels as an interface between bone and an implant.
Netti PA, Shelton JC, Revell PA, Pirie C, Smith S, Ambrosio L, Nicolais L and Bonfield W
Biomaterials vol. 14 (14), 1098-1104.  
01-11-1993

1991

Laser interferometric techniques in orthopaedics.
Shelton JC and Katz DM
J Med Eng Technol vol. 15 (6), 209-221.  
01-01-1991

1990

THE APPLICATION OF HOLOGRAPHY TO EXAMINE PLATED FRACTURE FIXATION SYSTEMS
SHELTON JC, GORMAN D and BONFIELD W
J Mater Sci-Mater M vol. 1 (3), 146-153.  
01-10-1990

1989

Double exposure holographic interferometric evaluation of plated fracture systems
Shelton JC, Gorman D and Bonfield W
Journal of Biomechanics vol. 22 (10) 
01-01-1989

Grants

solid heart iconGrants of specific relevance to Predictive in vitro Models
solid heart iconOrgan-chip Facility: A world-class in vitro models facility for the UK community, reducing the barriers to adoption to drive animal replacement
Hazel Screen, Stefaan Verbruggen, Martin Knight, Julia Shelton, Timothy Hopkins and John Connelly
£573,537 NC3Rs National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research 
Grant Summary

07-10-2024 - 14-03-2025
solid heart iconEPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Next Generation Organ-on-a-Chip Technology (COaCT)
Hazel Screen, Martin Knight, Thomas Iskratsch, Caroline Roney, Yi Sui, David Lee, Julia Shelton, Zion Tse, John Connelly, Adrian Biddle and Lucy Norling
£7,066,811 EPSRC Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council 
Grant Summary

01-07-2024 - 30-09-2032