AUTHOR=Foessl Ines , Bassett J. H. Duncan , Bjørnerem Åshild , Busse Björn , Calado Ângelo , Chavassieux Pascale , Christou Maria , Douni Eleni , Fiedler Imke A. K. , Fonseca João Eurico , Hassler Eva , Högler Wolfgang , Kague Erika , Karasik David , Khashayar Patricia , Langdahl Bente L. , Leitch Victoria D. , Lopes Philippe , Markozannes Georgios , McGuigan Fiona E. A. , Medina-Gomez Carolina , Ntzani Evangelia , Oei Ling , Ohlsson Claes , Szulc Pawel , Tobias Jonathan H. , Trajanoska Katerina , Tuzun Şansın , Valjevac Amina , van Rietbergen Bert , Williams Graham R. , Zekic Tatjana , Rivadeneira Fernando , Obermayer-Pietsch Barbara TITLE=Bone Phenotyping Approaches in Human, Mice and Zebrafish – Expert Overview of the EU Cost Action GEMSTONE (“GEnomics of MusculoSkeletal traits TranslatiOnal NEtwork”) JOURNAL=Frontiers in Endocrinology VOLUME=12 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2021.720728 DOI=10.3389/fendo.2021.720728 ISSN=1664-2392 ABSTRACT=

A synoptic overview of scientific methods applied in bone and associated research fields across species has yet to be published. Experts from the EU Cost Action GEMSTONE (“GEnomics of MusculoSkeletal Traits translational Network”) Working Group 2 present an overview of the routine techniques as well as clinical and research approaches employed to characterize bone phenotypes in humans and selected animal models (mice and zebrafish) of health and disease. The goal is consolidation of knowledge and a map for future research. This expert paper provides a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art technologies to investigate bone properties in humans and animals – including their strengths and weaknesses. New research methodologies are outlined and future strategies are discussed to combine phenotypic with rapidly developing –omics data in order to advance musculoskeletal research and move towards “personalised medicine”.