Sunita Ho

University of California San Francisco - US

Site-specific Zinc localization occurs in pathologic biominerals that include atherosclerotic and renal plaques, subgingival dental plaque, tertiary dentin in teeth, penile plaque, skeletal and alveolar bone, and salivary, prostate, and renal stones.

These biominerals contain Zinc concentrations that are orders of magnitude greater than the commonly identified trace amounts. Correlative microspectroscopy illustrates multiple Zn foci independent of the type of pathologic biomineral.

The expansive yet selective zinc localization indicate varied species and crystallinities. These observations made in teeth, bones, and stones will be discussed within the context of clinically identified anatomy-specific mineral densities.