Center for Bone Biology

 

               The Vanderbilt Center for Bone Biology (VCBB) was created to investigate diseases of bone and mineral metabolism. It is located in the Light Hall building in a 4689 sq. ft open laboratory space. Investigators associated with VCBB study the mechanisms regulating embryonic bone development, adult bone remodeling and repair, as well as cancers such as breast cancer and prostate cancer, which frequently affect the skeleton. Our goals are to unravel novel biological mechanisms and to develop new treatments and diagnostic tools that can eventually change the quality of life for patients with bone diseases.  

We are fortunate to have access to multiple state-of-the-art instruments and cores at VUMC to perform molecular, cellular and biochemical studies, and to thoroughly quantify changes in bone volume, architecture, biomechanical properties and histology upon gene alterations, growth, aging, disease or pharmacologic treatments. We also have access to state-of-the-art equipment in the Institute of Imaging Science for multiple imaging modalities applicable to in vivo small animal models.  

Students from multiple departments, including Medicine, Cancer Biology, Pharmacology and Engineering are actively involved in this research activity.     

The active VCBB research program is detailed in the tabs above. Feel free to contact the project leaders or associated students/post-docs if you have questions about projects and if you have interests in joining our group. 

Florent Elefteriou, Director