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Abstract #0786

Characterization of Bone Explants by Magnetic Resonance Microscopy

Ingrid E. Chesnick1, Carol B. Fowler1, Francis A. Avallone2, Kimberlee Potter1

1Department of Biophysics, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology Annex, Rockville, MD, United States; 2Department of Genitourinary Pathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC, United States


MRI studies of tissue engineered constructs prior to implantation clearly demonstrate the utility of the MRI technique for monitoring the bone formation process. However, in our studies of osteoblast-seeded scaffolds, implanted on the chorioallantoic membrane of a chick embryo, we have found that the presence of angiogenic vessels and fibrous tissue around the implant can confound MRI findings of bone deposition. On-going studies support the use of targeted contrast agents for studying mineral deposition and blood vessel infiltration in tissue engineered scaffolds post-implantation.