Advancements in 3D Electron Microscopy for Insight into Vertebrate Tissue Biomineralization
Apr 19, 2024
2:30PM to 3:30PM
Date/Time
Date(s) - 19/04/2024
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Categories
Prof. Tengteng (Toni) Tang
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, McMaster University
The biological and mechanical functions of vertebrate biomineralizing tissues, such as bone, cartilage and tendon, are mainly attributable to their organic and inorganic constituents and their three-dimensional (3D) organization at each length scale. Recent advances in focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) have allowed the interrogation of biomineralized tissue architecture in 3D at an unprecedented level and provide new insight into the structure-function relationships in these biological materials. Here, an extensive sub-cellular nanochannel network that is significantly smaller than the well-known osteocyte canaliculi (microscopic channels connecting bone cells) was found penetrating the mineralized matrix of a variety of vertebrate biomineralizing tissues, including turkey leg tendon, mouse cortical bone and calcifying cartilage, and human femoral cortical bone. The presence of this nanochannel structure has significant impact on the heterogeneity of mineralization at nanoscale. These nanochannels are suggested to provide conduits and pathways in permitting ion and small molecule diffusion throughout the extracellular matrix complementary to those of the cellular network. These findings offer a potential paradigm shift in the development of biomaterials for biomineralizing tissue applications, particularly in the context of functional restoration of damaged tissues.
Bio:
Dr. Tang is an Adjunct Assistant Professor and Research Associate in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at McMaster University. Her research interests include multiscale structure-mechanics-function studies of mineralized tissues with advanced characterization approaches, such as synchrotron X-ray scattering, focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM). Dr. Tang completed her Ph.D. under the supervision of Dr. Rizhi Wang and Dr. Peter Cripton (University of British Columbia), where she studied deformation and fracture mechanisms and structural fragility of human bone. Dr. Tang then conducted post-doctoral research in Germany (Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces) with Dr. Wolfgang Wagermaier and Dr. Peter Fratzl. At the Max Planck, she investigated fundamental biomineralization mechanisms in a variety of biological tissues, such as tendon, bone, cartilage, and shark/ray tesserae using synchrotron X-ray scattering and 3D volume electron microscopy imaging techniques. She is a Friedman Scholar and currently serves on the early career researcher editorial board of Bone Reports.
In-Person: ABB 102
Online: https://mcmaster.zoom.us/j/97875246982
Meeting ID: 978 7524 6982
Passcode: 640812