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Second-harmonic generation imaging of collagen in ancient bone
B Thomas1, D McIntosh1, T Fildes1,2
1Mass Spectrometry Research Group, University of Liverpool, Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L69 3GJ, UK.
Bone Reports
|November 11, 2017
Summary
Second-harmonic generation imaging (SHG) successfully detected ancient bone collagen. This technique offers new insights into bone composition and preservation across different ages and species.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Biochemistry
- Paleontology
Background:
- Second-harmonic generation imaging (SHG) is a technique that visualizes collagen structure.
- SHG is routinely used in biomedical research for collagen quantification in modern bone.
- The applicability of SHG to ancient bone samples has not been previously explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the capability of SHG imaging to detect collagen in ancient bone samples.
- To evaluate SHG's potential for analyzing bone from various historical periods, environments, and species.
- To establish SHG as a viable tool for ancient bone research.
Main Methods:
- SHG imaging was performed on modern, medieval, and ice age bone samples.
- Independent validation techniques included Raman spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, radiocarbon dating, and mass spectrometry-based protein sequencing.
- Protein presence was confirmed using these complementary methods.
Main Results:
- SHG imaging successfully captured collagen signatures in ancient bone samples.
- The presence of protein in ancient bones was corroborated by four independent analytical methods.
- SHG imaging proved effective across diverse bone ages and origins.
Conclusions:
- SHG imaging is a promising technique for analyzing ancient bone collagen.
- Future studies can leverage SHG to investigate ancient bone disorders and collagen preservation.
- SHG can provide insights into collagen decay in various depositional environments.
