Key Insights into Bone Adaptations: Human and Fish—Same, But Different

Bone is an engineering marvel, balancing strength, stiffness, and toughness in ways that are difficult to replicate. This seminar explores the relationship between genetics, bone biology, and mechanical properties, focusing on the similarities and differences between human and fish bones. While both are essential for support and movement, the bones of terrestrial species like humans are designed to bear weight and withstand mechanical loads in a gravity-dominated environment with high stiffness and strength. In contrast, fish bones have adapted to buoyant aquatic environments, prioritizing flexibility and unique mechanical properties over rigidity, enabling them to excel in underwater ecosystems. Using advanced imaging techniques and high-resolution analyses, we explore how genetic regulation influences mineralization, structure, and mechanical behavior, offering new insights into bone biology. These findings have implications for medical treatments and the development of biomimetic materials.