A hip explant showing the coated prosthesis and bone joined together

The Furlong Research Charitable Foundation (FRCF) supports a wide spectrum of research programmes within the field of Orthopaedic Science. This ranges from general scientific programmes such as Molecular Genetic & Functional Analysis of Genes Harbouring Risk for Primary Osteoarthritis to controversial areas of research such as the safety of Metal bearing Surfaces.

The Foundation supports pioneering work into modelling shoulder biomechanics in addition to a range of programmes in the science of Hydroxyapatite (HA) which forms the basis for the Foundations existence.

The Foundation has established strong links with various centres of excellence and actively supports collaboration between eminent, internationally renowned scientists.

FRCF currently funds numerous PhD, post doctoral and clinical Furlong fellows, all united by one common theme: commitment to high quality research.

Research Selection Process

A Review Panel of eminent Professors, Scientists and Orthopaedic Surgeons will study each project quite independently of the Foundation. They will not be told who is applying for the funding or where the research is to be undertaken, ensuring that each project is judged on its own merits without being influenced by who will be supervising the project or where the research is to take place.

These procedures are essential, not only to ensure that all research is in keeping with the aims of the Foundation and funding wisely distributed, but to meet Charity Commission requirements that each project should be assessed in a fair and equal manner.

Head of Research - Minoo Esat , PhD (Lond)

The Furlong Research Charitable Foundation is fully involved in the research programmes for which it provides funding and actively takes part in international conferences and symposia.  The Foundation is therefore in a position to identify the activities of state-of-the-art research centres, thus promoting research proactively as well as supporting it reactively.  In this connection, Head of Research, Minoo Esats professional activities include the following:

• Board member,  Medical Engineering Division (MED) of  Institution of Mechanical Engineers(IMechE)
• Board member, The Biomedical Applications Division of the Institute of Materials (IoM)
• Organiser - HAC20 Symposium, Royal College of Surgeons, Sept 2005
• Co-organiser, The London Orthopaedic Biomechnics Course, Oct. 2006 an annual event.
• Organising committee Engineers and Surgeons joined at the Hip, IMechE,  April 2007
• Co-organiser, 1st International Symposium on Acetabular Reconstruction, Royal College of Surgeons, June 2007
• Keynote Lecture, Regulatory Issues for Orthopaedic Implants, Bath Biomechanics Symposium, Sept. 2006
• Lecture Properties of Orthopaedic Materials - BSc Course in Bioengineering Advances in Surgery, Imperial College, London - Oct. 2006
• Lecture Materials and Bearing Surfaces in Orthopaedics- 3rd International Primary Hip Arthroplasty Course, Dec. 2006
• Lectures Applications of Biomedical Engineering, MSc in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, University College London - Oct-Nov. 2007

Detailed information on some of the research projects funded by The Foundation

Research Projects we are currently funding

Furlong Medal at The Institution of Mechanical EngineersThe second Furlong Medal at The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) was presented on 26th June 2007 to Dr Andrew Phillips, who completed his PhD at University of Edinburgh entitled Modelling and Characterisation of the Acetabular Cup.  He is currently an academic member of staff at Imperial College, London.