Learning How Small Molecules, Proteins and Enzymes Guide Biomineralization
In bone, joint and tooth diseases, defective mineralization (calcification) compromises the health and well-being of everyone from infants to the elderly, both in Canada and around the world. It also results in soft skeletons and teeth that can deform and cause great pain.
Dr. Marc McKee, Canada Research Chair in Biomineralization, has already improved our understanding of biomineralization processes by shedding light on how mineral crystals grow inside our bodies to harden and strengthen bones and teeth. This has led to the development of new targeted therapies. But McKee and his research team are continuing to examine the causes of defective mineralization.
Although few patients suffer from rare bone diseases (which also affect the teeth), those who do suffer tremendously.
Osteomalacia and odontomalacia are the terms used to describe soft bones and teeth. They are prominent symptoms of the rare diseases hypophosphatasia and X-linked hypophosphatemia. Hypophosphatasia has a long history in Canada. Its first reporting, naming, drug discovery, pre-clinical testing and clinical trials were all done in Canada. McKee and his team are now focusing on the mechanisms that cause these two rare diseases.
Using new imaging and computational methods, McKee’s team is looking at the nanostructure of biomineral crystals and how amino acids, small peptides and proteins combine with them to control their growth. This information is key to developing new treatments for mineralization diseases.