Microscale Characterization of Undecalcified Bone Tissue Using Correlative Atomic Force Microscopy and Histology
Abstract
Characterizing bone tissue in its mineralized state remains technically challenging. Conventional approaches typically compromise mechanical integrity through decalcification or lack the structural resolution necessary to capture microscale heterogeneity. Here we present an integrated workflow combining atomic force microscopy (AFM) with histological and immunofluorescence assays on adjacent undecalcified bone tissue cryosections. Using a tape-transfer mounting approach, we resolve mechanically and structurally distinct tissue types within a minimally processed single mouse femur section. Furthermore, we show that decalcification substantially alters nanoscale surface topography and local mechanical properties. Applied to an aging cohort of C57BL/6J female mice spanning 7 to 115 weeks, the proposed method detects age-associated changes in bone matrix structure and stiffness. The approach provides a practical methodology for spatially correlating nanomechanical properties with molecular markers in bone and other mineralized tissues, with broad applicability to disease models including cancer metastasis, osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis.
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BibTeX
@misc{wahman2026microscale,
title = {{Microscale Characterization of Undecalcified Bone Tissue Using Correlative Atomic Force Microscopy and Histology}},
author = {Nada Wahman and Young Hun Kim and Jahkwaun Budhai and Bikhyat Shrestha and Francesca Mazzoni and Crystal Huang and Ning Fan and Eric Rosiek and Eric Chan and Murray J Tipping},
howpublished = {bioRxiv},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.64898/2026.10.16.759704},
url = {https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.16.759704v1},
note = {CC BY-ND},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Microscale Characterization of Undecalcified Bone Tissue Using Correlative Atomic Force Microscopy and Histology
AU - Nada Wahman
AU - Young Hun Kim
AU - Jahkwaun Budhai
AU - Bikhyat Shrestha
AU - Francesca Mazzoni
AU - Crystal Huang
AU - Ning Fan
AU - Eric Rosiek
AU - Eric Chan
AU - Murray J Tipping
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/16
PB - bioRxiv
DO - 10.64898/2026.10.16.759704
UR - https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.16.759704v1
AB - Characterizing bone tissue in its mineralized state remains technically challenging. Conventional approaches typically compromise mechanical integrity through decalcification or lack the structural resolution necessary to capture microscale heterogeneity. Here we present an integrated workflow combining atomic force microscopy (AFM) with histological and immunofluorescence assays on adjacent undecalcified bone tissue cryosections. Using a tape-transfer mounting approach, we resolve mechanically and structurally distinct tissue types within a minimally processed single mouse femur section. Furthermore, we show that decalcification substantially alters nanoscale surface topography and local mechanical properties. Applied to an aging cohort of C57BL/6J female mice spanning 7 to 115 weeks, the proposed method detects age-associated changes in bone matrix structure and stiffness. The approach provides a practical methodology for spatially correlating nanomechanical properties with molecular markers in bone and other mineralized tissues, with broad applicability to disease models including cancer metastasis, osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis.
SN - 2692-8205
ER -