Osteoderms – a novel biomineralization for biologically inspired engineering

Mehran Moazen (primary)
Mechanical Engineering
University College London
Susan Evans (secondary)
CDB
University College London

Abstract

Osteoderms are mineralized plates found within the skin of many reptiles, as well as some amphibians and mammals. They have received little attention – other than limited analyses of histology in lizards and function in crocodiles – and there is a common assumption that they are morphologically and functionally conservative However, our pilot studies have suggested that they represent a strikingly unusual and functionally important tissue type. The project will focus on osteoderms in lizards with the overall aim of understanding osteoderm form and function within the group.


References

  1. Vickaryous MK, et al. 2015. J Morph. 276, 1345-1357.
  2. Chen IH, et al. 2014. Mat Sci & Eng C- Mat Biol Appli 35, 441-448.
  3. Chen IH, et al. 2015. Acta Biomaterialia 28, 2-12.
  4. Huang JH, et al. 2011. Materials & Design 32, 3702-3710.
  5. Evans SE, 2008. Biology of the Reptilia, 20: 1-347.

BBSRC Area
Genes, development and STEM* approaches to biology
Area of Biology
EvolutionStructural Biology
Techniques & Approaches
EngineeringImage ProcessingSimulation / Modelling