Neutron diffraction studies of collagen in human cancellous bone

The interaction between bone mineral and collagen is essential to the formation and function of bone. It is important, therefore, to study collagen in situ, i.e. within the bone mineral. This represents a challenge, particularly as often the area of interest involves cancellous bone which, because it has an open porous structure, is less dense and can be difficult to section finely. The first neutron diffraction experiments on intact cancellous bone have been performed to examine the spacings between collagen molecules and have demonstrated that this is a feasible technique for such a study. A comparison is made with results on cortical bone.