Objective "Osteoporosis is defined as a state of low bone density with underlying alterations in bone microarchitecture leading to an increased fracture risk. The incidence of osteoporosis is rising globally and produces increasing costs to national health care systems since osteoporotic patients are prone to low trauma fractures. Osteoporotic fractures are not only a matter of decreased bone density, but are also associated with alterations in the microarchitecture of the trabecular structure within the bone due to dynamic processes of bone rebuilding and resorption. In clinical practice, histomorphometric analysis of iliac crest biopsies is the current method of reference in the assessment of bone microarchitecture. Bone biopsy, however, is an invasive procedure which allows a limited number of follow-ups while providing limited information about the larger scale bone micro-architecture. Micro computed tomography (microCT) and very recently High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) have enriched bone research by enabling a three-dimensional approach to bone imaging. A particular feature of HR-pQCT is the possibility to acquire high resolution in vivo images, thereby allowing for follow-up observations. At present, however, the resolution of HR-pQCT does not allow for direct inference of the cellular and re-modeling processes within the bone. The goal of this project is to bridge the gap between bone microarchitecture and local re-modeling processes of bone resorption and rebuilding by developing methods for detection of osteoclastic sites and eroded trabecular surfaces in microCT, and ultimately HR-pQCT images through multi-modal analysis using to bone histology images. Such detection will have a clinical impact by improving the ability to target therapy and drugs based on the underlying nature of the disease. In addition, localization of these sites could be used to improve biological bone models at the cellular, tissue, and structural levels." Fields of science engineering and technologymedical engineeringdiagnostic imagingcomputed tomographyengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwaste managementwaste treatment processesremanufacturingnatural sciencesbiological scienceshistology Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IEF - Marie-Curie Action: "Intra-European fellowships for career development" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IEF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinator MEDIZINISCHE UNIVERSITAET WIEN Address Spitalgasse 23 1090 Wien Austria See on map Region Ostösterreich Wien Wien Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Christian Herold (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution € 183 606,40