Application Notes

SHG imaging and quantitative analysis of bone collagen fibers using a multiphoton microscope

June 2022

Bone is a hard tissue that supports the body, and the ratio of inorganic components (calcium etc.) in bone is only 45% by weight, with the remainder being composed of water and organic components consisting primarily of collagen. In mineralized bone, inorganic crystals mainly composed of calcium and phosphoric acid are deposited on collagen fibers, which are bundled collagen molecules. Robust and tough bone is hard and flexible. The hardness is due to inorganic components, and the flexibility is due to collagen. Prof. Tadahiro IIMURA and Dr. Takanori SATO of the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty and Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University are studying the pharmacological effects of PTH (teriparatide) preparation, a drug developed for the treatment of osteoporosis. This application note introduces an example of quantitative evaluation of the arrangement of collagen fibers in bone, by combining SHG (Second Harmonic Generation) imaging using a multiphoton microscope and AI technology.