CHARACTERIZATION OF NORMAL AND ABNORMAL BONES BY RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY : ANALYSIS OF MINERAL TO MATRIX RATIO OF BONE USING ADVANCED MATERIALS CHARACTERIZATION TECHNIQUES

Abstract

Bone disorders and disease are associated with multiple factors. Some of the disorders and diseases are difficult to understand because of their unknown root causes. Our goal was to differentiate between normal and genetically modified rat bone groups by finding the difference in mineral to matrix (Mn/Mx) content using Raman spectroscopy. Raman spectroscopy gives the chemical composition based on the vibration modes of the molecules. Quantitative analysis of Mn/Mx content calculated from Raman spectra allowed us to distinguish between healthy and genetically modified rat bone groups. We have presented the results by averaging the Mn/Mx ratios. Thus, the most significant result is the finding that mineral to matrix content is higher in bone in which the specific genetic bone growth factor was downregulated by disabling the gene. This higher mineral to matrix content in abnormal bones may indicate that this genetic factor primarily influences the growth of bone matrix, which gives the bone its toughness and flexibility.