Mineralomics

            The study of hard tissues from vertebrates (e.g. bone and teeth) and from other animals (e.g. shells and exoskeletons of crustaceans) is largely based on physical science characterization techniques. Among these techniques, Electron Microscopy (SEM and TEM), diffraction techniques (x-ray and electron) and, more recently, Focused Ion Beam (FIB) have been offering answers to fundamental questions about the nature, origin, and function of these biological materials.

            Physical-chemistry research has effectively contributed to expanding our understanding of several biological systems and produced a decisive impact on medical research by repeatedly revealing how different diseases originate and develop. The synergy between physical science and medicine has, in this way, helped design and implement novel preventative therapies and treatments. Beyond that, physical science techniques have also been an endless source of inspiration for new materials and technologies based on the unique materials found in nature.

            We are using and developing several techniques from physical sciences to answer important biological and medical questions related to the nature of hard tissues and widespread diseases (e.g. arteriosclerosis, aortic valve stenosis, rheumatic fever and all kinds of ectopic calcification) in which a hard material is pathologically formed in the human.

Our group has four main research lines:

Pathological mineralization

Mineralized tissues

Palaeontology

Bio-imaging