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Updated: Jul 8, 2026
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A Sectioning, Coring, and Image Processing Guide for High-Throughput Cortical Bone Sample Procurement and Analysis for Synchrotron Micro-CT
Published on: June 12, 2020
Human bone ultrastructure in 3D: Multimodal correlative study combining nanoscale X-ray computed tomography and
Tatiana Kochetkova1, Tatiana Kormilina2, Silvan Englisch3
1Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Mechanics of Materials & Nanostructures, Feuerwerkerstrasse 39, CH-3602 Thun, Switzerland; ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, University of Bern, Switzerland.
Acta Biomaterialia
|March 28, 2025
Summary
This study reveals nanoscale bone ultrastructure and composition variations in different bone zones using advanced imaging. These findings enhance understanding of bone hierarchical organization and disease impacts.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Skeletal Biology
Background:
- Cortical bone's mechanical properties depend on organic and inorganic constituents.
- Ageing and disease alter bone structure, necessitating nanoscale investigation.
- Understanding bone ultrastructure is crucial for diagnosing and treating skeletal diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the ultrastructure and composition of human femoral neck cortical bone at the nanoscale.
- To explore emerging characterization techniques for bone analysis.
- To investigate variations in bone matrix composition and lacuno-canalicular network organization.
Main Methods:
- Laboratory-based nanoscale X-ray computed tomography (nano-CT) for ∼50 nm resolution.
- Quantitative polarized Raman spectroscopy (qPRS) for mineral and organic composition analysis.
- Site-matching 3D nano-CT data with qPRS for correlative analysis of mineralized collagen fibrils (MCF).
Main Results:
- Nano-CT resolved the lacuno-canalicular network and mineral ellipsoids within MCF.
- Composition and network organization varied between osteonal and interstitial bone zones.
- Observed plywood and gradual oscillating lamellation motifs, with consistent MCF orientation.
Conclusions:
- The correlative workflow provides new insights into bone hierarchical organization.
- Site-matched nano-CT and qPRS facilitate characterization of bone ultrastructure.
- This approach can be applied to study bone diseases and other hierarchical materials.
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