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Diffusion Systems for Evaluation of Biomineralization

Calcified Tissue International volume 75, pages 494–501 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

A variety of in vitro study methods have been used to elucidate the roles of matrix molecules in biomineralization processes. Among these, gel diffusion-precipitation studies have proved to be an effective tool. This methodology is uniquely capable of characterizing the effects of matrix molecules on mineralization while only using very small quantities of material. Furthermore, gel methods have been extended for use as a mineralization assay system to characterize modified matrix molecules and synthetic analogues. Here we discuss the advantages and limitations of gelatin, agar, agarose, and other systems for studying the mechanisms of biomineralization.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the help of Melin Tan, Hospital for Special Surgery, and Aryeh Keehn, Yeshiva University, for their contributions exploring single diffusion gelatin systems. Dr Boskey’s work discussed in this paper was supported by NIH grant DE04141.

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Affiliations

  1. Yeshiva University, 500 West 185 St., New York, NY, 10033, USA

    L. Silverman

  2. Starr Chair in Mineralized Tissue Research, Hospital for Special Surgery, affiliated with Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, 10021, USA

    A. L. Boskey

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  1. L. Silverman
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Correspondence to A. L. Boskey.

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Silverman, L., Boskey, A.L. Diffusion Systems for Evaluation of Biomineralization. Calcif Tissue Int 75, 494–501 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-004-0019-y

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Keywords

  • Hydroxyapatite
  • Biomineralization
  • Gel diffusion
  • Gelatin
  • Agarose
  • Agar