Journal
NATURE PROTOCOLS
Volume 7, Issue 10, Pages 1918-1929Publisher
NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2012.113
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Funding
- US National Institutes of Health [R21 AR56076, R01 DE015164, R01 AR42639, R01 DE017441]
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Animal models that are reliably reproducible, appropriate analogs to the clinical condition they are used to investigate, and that offer minimal morbidity and periprocedural mortality to the subject, are the keystone to the preclinical development of translational technologies. For bone tissue engineering, a number of small animal models exist. Here we describe the protocol for one such model, the rat calvarial defect. This versatile model allows for evaluation of biomaterials and bone tissue engineering approaches within a reproducible, non-load-bearing orthotopic site. Crucial steps for ensuring appropriate experimental control and troubleshooting tips learned through extensive experience with this model are provided. The surgical procedure itself takes similar to 30 min to complete, with similar to 2 h of perioperative care, and tissue collection is generally performed 4-12 weeks postoperatively. Several analytical techniques are presented, which evaluate the cellular and extracellular matrix components, functionality and mineralization, including histological, mechanical and radiographic methods.
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