GLYCOMIN

The project aims to gain insight into the mechanisms of mineralization initiation in bone. It focuses on demonstrating the role of proteoglycans (especially biglycan) as stabilizers of mineral precursors and facilitators of phase transformation.

Combining advanced electron microscopy, spectroscopy and X-ray absorption techniques, we aim to characterize the nanoscale distribution of biglycan, to identify the composition of its glycosaminoglycan chains, and to determine the structural changes caused by its removal or deficiency in different model and pathological systems.