Grant: Undergraduate: Mobility, musculoskeletal health & arthritis - IA

Cells embedded within bone tissue, known as osteocytes, form an interconnected network which serves several functions including adaptation to mechanical stimuli (e.g. activity-induced loading) and the storage/mobilization of calcium. Women face increased physiological demands for calcium associated with reproduction and also face an increased risk of age-related bone loss and fractures. It is well established that Estrogen plays a key role in bone health but it is unclear how this hormone affects the organization of bone at the cellular level. The proposed study will examine the inter-relationship of estrogen and loading on the cellular organization of growing bone using advanced 3D imaging.