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
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

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

2022

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

2021

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

2020

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

2019

Fu S, Meng H, Freer F, Kwon J, Shelton JC and Knight MM (2019). Sub-toxic levels of Co2+ are anti-inflammatory and protect cartilage from degradation caused by IL-1β. Elsevier  Clinical Biomechanics  vol. 79,  
VADGAMA PM (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. Elsevier Masson  Analytica Chimica Acta   

2018

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

2017

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

2016

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

2015

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

2014

Di Federico E, Bader DL and Shelton JC (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. Med Eng Phys  vol. 36, (4) 534-540.  
Hothi HS, Busfield JJC and Shelton JC (2014). Deformation of uncemented metal acetabular cups following impaction: Experimental and finite element study. Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering  vol. 17, (11) 1261-1274.  

2013

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

2012

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

2011

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

2010

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

2009

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

2008

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

2007

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

2006

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

2005

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

2004

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

2003

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

2002

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

2001

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

2000

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

1998

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

1996

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

1995

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

1993

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

1991

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

1990

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

1989

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

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 Center for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (07-10-2024 - 14-03-2025)
solid heart icon(EPSRC CDT 2023) Next Generation Organ-on-a-Chip Technologies
Hazel Screen, Martin Knight, Thomas Iskratsch, Caroline Roney, Yi Sui, David Lee, Julia Shelton, Tsz Ho Tse, John Connelly, Adrian Biddle and Lucy Norling
£7,066,811 EPSRC Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (01-07-2024 - 30-09-2032)