Characterization of mineral depositions during osteosarcoma cell differentiation by high resolution X-rays nanodiffraction

The main aim of this proposal is to study how the osteblasic differentiation stimuli affect the maturation process of mineral depositions released by osteosarcoma SaOS2 cells at 4 and 10 days after osteoblastic induction. To this purpose we will use x-ray scanning nano-diffraction at a spatial resolution down to 50 nm. This will allow to visualise and evaluate the genesis of nano-sized-mineral depositions and collagen fibrils produced by osteosarcoma cells. This study will contribute to unveil the genesis of bone mineralization process in osteosarcoma which is still far from being elucidated. Moreover, this research is a part of a larger project aimed at validating a new anticancer strategy based on the differentiation of osteosarcoma cells towards a less aggressive phenotype. The application of this strategy will be fundamental to improve the chance to translate the new knowledge to osteosarcoma clinical practice and treatment.