高等学校化学学报 ›› 2000, Vol. 21 ›› Issue (S1): 140.

• Chemistry in Life Sciences • 上一篇    下一篇

Use of Atomic Force Microscopy to Determine the in vitro Growth of Hydroxyapatite Crystals from Mammalian Skeletal Tissues

ZHANG Jin1, LIU Zhong-Fan1, J. KIRKHAM2, D. A. SMITH2, C. ROBINSON2   

  1. 1. Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology(CNST), College of chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871;
    2. Leeds Dental Institute, The University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9LU, UK
  • 出版日期:2000-12-31 发布日期:2000-12-31

Use of Atomic Force Microscopy to Determine the in vitro Growth of Hydroxyapatite Crystals from Mammalian Skeletal Tissues

ZHANG Jin1, LIU Zhong-Fan1, J. KIRKHAM2, D. A. SMITH2, C. ROBINSON2   

  1. 1. Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology(CNST), College of chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871;
    2. Leeds Dental Institute, The University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9LU, UK
  • Online:2000-12-31 Published:2000-12-31

摘要:

The control of hydroxyapatite crystal deposition and growth has long been thought to be mediated via the proteins of the extracellular matrix[1]. However, the precise mechanisms remain obscure. Dental enamel is the most extreme example of mammalian biomineralisation and provides an excellent model for studies of biological hydroxyapatite crystal growth. During its development, enamel passes through a number of discrete stages which have been defined both chemically and histologically. Elucidation of these mechanisms would be an important step in the design of novel therapeutics and treatment of osteopathologies. Unfortunately, despite a great deal of in vitro work using indirect measurements of crystal growth (for example by depletion of ions from solution) there have been no models to date capable of measuring crystal growth directly and in real time. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has provided unprecedented opportunities for the imaging of biological specimens, generating quantitative data in three dimensions with molecular resolution.It is ideally suited for biological imaging as specimens do not need to be dehydrated, fixed, stained or coated and, most importantly, imaging can be carried out under fluids, under the biological conditions of choice[2-3].

Abstract:

The control of hydroxyapatite crystal deposition and growth has long been thought to be mediated via the proteins of the extracellular matrix[1]. However, the precise mechanisms remain obscure. Dental enamel is the most extreme example of mammalian biomineralisation and provides an excellent model for studies of biological hydroxyapatite crystal growth. During its development, enamel passes through a number of discrete stages which have been defined both chemically and histologically. Elucidation of these mechanisms would be an important step in the design of novel therapeutics and treatment of osteopathologies. Unfortunately, despite a great deal of in vitro work using indirect measurements of crystal growth (for example by depletion of ions from solution) there have been no models to date capable of measuring crystal growth directly and in real time. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has provided unprecedented opportunities for the imaging of biological specimens, generating quantitative data in three dimensions with molecular resolution.It is ideally suited for biological imaging as specimens do not need to be dehydrated, fixed, stained or coated and, most importantly, imaging can be carried out under fluids, under the biological conditions of choice[2-3].

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