Bone Biology

Bone is a specialized form of connective tissue that serves as both as a tissue and an organ system within higher vertebrates. As such, its basic functions include locomotion, protection and mineral homeostasis. Its cellular makeup includes osteoblasts, osteocytes, bone lining cells and osteoclasts. Bone research in recent years has generated enormous attention mainly because of the broad health implication of osteoporosis and other bone related diseases. Growth factors and cytokines like the FGFs, PDGF-BB, IGF-I and TNF-α have the potential to change the way osteoporosis and other bone diseases are treated since they influence and control the local formation and remodeling of bone.