Philip Osdoby Research Interest Biochemical and pysiological events regulating bone remodeling, specifically osteoclast development and activity Scanning electron micrograph of isolated osteoclast resorbing cortical bone in slice in vitro.
Bone is a remarkable, multifunctional organ.
The cells and matrix comprising skeletal tissue form a specialized architecture uniquely adapted for weight bearing, motion, and marrow development. Bone also serves as a mineral reservoir for the organism an d is, by necessity, highly responsive to complicated endocrine signals responsible for maintaining and modifying mineral homeostasis. In addition, the complex bone matrix may serve as a growth factor repository and thereby operate to influence haematopoi etic events and contribute to the regenerative properties of bone. Deciphering the biochemical and molecular mechanisms that govern bone cell precursor recruitment, differentiation, and activity is, therefore, important for understanding both normal and pathological processes in bone. The osteoclast is believed to degrade none matrix by releasing hydrolytic enzymes, superoxide radical s, and protons into what can best be described as an extracellular phagolysosome.