Pioneers in bone cell biology: SVI celebrates Professors Jack Martin and Natalie Sims

We’re proud to spotlight distinguished researchers Emeritus Professor Jack Martin and SVI Deputy Director Professor Natalie Sims, who were recently interviewed by Bench Side Story. The researchers shared reflections on their groundbreaking careers in bone biology that continue to shape global health.

Professor Jack Martin: A legacy of discovery in bone research

Emeritus Professor Jack Martin, former Director of SVI, is internationally recognised for transforming our understanding of how bone cells function and interact. In the interview, Jack described how his fascination with the biochemical mechanisms of disease led him to bone research. His early collaborations with pioneers like Iain MacIntyre and Roger Melick set the stage for a prolific career.

Jack’s key discoveries include a new understanding of how bone-forming cells (osteoblasts) and bone-resorbing cells (osteoclasts) communicate. Alongside international collaborators, he proposed the then-controversial idea that osteoblasts regulate osteoclast activity—a theory later validated with the discovery of RANK ligand, a protein that plays a crucial role in bone resorption and bone remodelling. This critical molecule is now targeted by Denosumab (marketed in Australia as Prolia), the world’s leading treatment for osteoporosis.

His work also uncovered the hormone-like protein PTHrP (parathyroid hormone-related protein), first identified in cancers causing high blood calcium. It has since been found to play key roles in normal physiology, including skin development and placental calcium transfer. These insights reshaped our understanding of both bone disease and cancer metastasis.

For over four decades, Jack’s research cemented SVI’s global reputation in skeletal biology.

Professor Natalie Sims: Continuing the legacy

Deputy Director Professor Natalie Sims, Head of Bone Cell Biology and Disease, continues to build on Professor Martin’s foundational discoveries in bone cell communication and apply them to advance our understanding of skeletal diseases. In her Bench Side Story interview, Natalie highlighted her mission to understand how bones sense and respond to mechanical forces—knowledge crucial for developing better treatments for bone loss and fragility.

Natalie’s research focuses particularly on the microscopic communication between bone cells. Her work has uncovered how bone-forming cells change over time and how these changes influence both bone strength and disease progression.

“Bones are a living, dynamic tissue,” she explained. “We now know that the cells inside bones are constantly talking to each other and adjusting to the demands placed on them. Understanding this helps us protect bone health across the lifespan.”

She also reflected on the importance of mentorship and collaboration in science, acknowledging the invaluable impact of working with Jack and the culture of excellence he established at SVI.

Natalie continues to guide the development of therapies for osteoporosis, cancer metastasis, and a range of skeletal disorders. Her work, made possible by the foundational discoveries of Professor Jack Martin, forges new paths in bone biology and translational medicine.