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Mineralised tissues as nanomaterials: analysis by atomic force microscopy.
L Bozec1, J de Groot, M Odlyha
1Bone and Mineral Centre, Department of Medicine, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
IEE Proceedings. Nanobiotechnology
|January 31, 2006
Summary
This study visualizes bone and dentine structure using atomic force microscopy, revealing mineral crystal sizes and collagen patterns. These findings aid in understanding skeletal disorders like osteoporosis.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Skeletal Biology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Mineralized tissues like bone and dentine comprise collagen fibrils and calcium hydroxyapatite.
- Osteoclasts and osteoblasts are key cells in bone remodeling, involving matrix resorption and synthesis.
- Understanding the native structure of these tissues is crucial for skeletal health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To image the native structure of mineralized tissues, including collagen and mineral phases.
- To determine the size of mineral crystals in bone and dentine.
- To observe collagen structure after matrix resorption and acid treatment.
Main Methods:
- Utilized high-resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM).
- Examined unmodified, fully calcified bone and dentine samples.
- Applied acid treatment and simulated osteoclast-mediated resorption to samples.
Main Results:
- Observed mineral crystals ranging from 225 nm to 1.4 microm in diameter in bone and dentine.
- Visualized D-banded collagen in dentine (after acid treatment) and bone (after resorption).
- Measured axial periodicity of collagen at approximately 67 nm (dentine) and 69 nm (bone).
Conclusions:
- AFM enables detailed imaging of mineralized tissue structure in native samples.
- The study provides insights into collagen and mineral organization in bone and dentine.
- This approach can advance the study of bone diseases such as osteoporosis.