How bone cells use citrate to make stronger bones and teeth
Mechanisms and Impact of Osteoblast "Citration" on Skeletal Mineralization and Global Citrate Homeostasis
This work looks at how bone-forming cells move and use the natural molecule citrate to help bones and teeth form and stay strong.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11172594 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team will study bone-forming cells in the lab to see how they take up and deposit citrate into the mineral that makes bone and tooth enamel. They will use mice that lack a citrate transporter (SLC13A5) to watch changes in blood and urine citrate and to measure bone volume, strength, and tooth enamel. Lab measurements include imaging mineral structure, tracking citrate movement, and testing bone biomechanics. The researchers will compare their lab and mouse findings to known human genetic changes in SLC13A5 to link the basic work to human bone and enamel problems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with unexplained low bone density, brittle teeth or known mutations affecting the SLC13A5 citrate transporter would be most directly relevant.
Not a fit: People with conditions unrelated to bone mineralization or citrate metabolism are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat weak bones and enamel by targeting citrate handling in bone cells.
How similar studies have performed: Previous mouse and genetic studies have linked SLC13A5 to bone and tooth problems, but tracing how citrate is delivered and regulated in bone is a newer and still-developing approach.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dirckx, Naomi — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Dirckx, Naomi
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.