Research Images As Art 2003/2004 Gallery

Osteoclasts with Alien Hands

By Dr Stephen Nesbitt
Medicine_

Osteoclasts with Alien Hands : Osteoclasts are bone cells that resorb bone and, in part, regulate the skeleton's mass. The image shows a scanning electron micrograph osteoclasts (coloured yellow and red) attached to a mineralised matrix (coloured grey). The fine finger-like processes that project from the osteoclasts (alien hands) may provide a communication network between the cells in bone.