Lynda F. Bonewald Knihy

The goal of the International Conferences on the Chemistry and Biology of Mineralized Tissues (ICCBMT) is to disseminate state-of-the-art information on the structure, function and interaction of the mineral, matrix and cellular components in bones, teeth and other mineralized tissues, while encouraging collaboration among investigators in different disciplines. The 9th ICCBMT took place in Austin, Tex., USA, in November 2007. This special issue of Cells, Tissues, Organs highlights the science presented at this conference which emphasized physico-chemical, biological and clinical topics concerning the mineralization process. Through the exchange of information at the meeting, scientists are working to improve the diagnosis, treatment therapies and ultimately the prevention of diseases of these tissues as well as tissues that undergo pathologic mineralization.