Public forum focuses on genetics of osteoporosis, brittle bone disease

HOUSTON -- (August 20, 2007) -- An update on osteoporosis and brittle bone disease in children will be presented in a public forum next month. The talk will feature an expert in bone health from Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital in Houston.

The speaker will be Dr. Brendan Lee, the director of the Skeletal Dysplasia Clinic at Texas Children's, director of the Bone Disease Program of Texas, professor of molecular and human genetics and investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Osteoporosis is a common disease of adulthood, but it has its roots in childhood. Both environmental and genetic factors contribute to this problem and patients suffer from bone fractures and pain. Brittle bone disease in children and adults is one of several examples of genetic diseases that can cause osteoporosis and fractures.

Organized by BCM and Texas Children's, the event is part of a monthly "Evening with Genetics" lecture series organized by BCM's Department of Molecular and Human Genetics. The series offers current information regarding care, education and research about genetic disorders.

The program is free and open to the public. The lecture is at 7 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Children's Museum of Houston, 1500 Binz. Parking is free. As seating is limited, register by calling 832-822-4182 or by sending an e-mail to fernbach@bcm.edu.