Center for Bone Biology

Assessing Bone Quality in Transgenic Mouse Models

Bone quality refers to multiple determinants of fracture resistance that are independent of bone mass.  While a number of determinants such as collagen integrity and trabecular architecture have been implicated through biomechanical testing of cadaveric tissue, little is known about the factors regulating bone quality.  Therefore, we are applying many state-of-the-art techniques to fully characterize structure, composition, and material behavior of bones from various transgenic mouse models (e.g., MMP2, ATF4 and NF null mice).

Supported by VA Career Development Award

The loss of the gelatinase MMP2 causes a decrease in the strength of cortical bone