McGill researchers are one step closer to understanding the origins of arterial calcification, a process that contributes to heart disease.
Minerals form naturally in our bones and teeth, but when minerals like calcium phosphate attach to the soft tissues of our vascular system, they can turn the once flexible arteries into stiff vessels that restrict blood flow––increasing the chance of heart attacks or strokes.
Understanding how and why minerals form in soft tissue is crucial for the health of at-risk Canadians, those living with diabetes and chronic kidney disease, as well as seniors.
Data collected on the SXRMB beamline at the Canadian Light Source (CLS) at the University of Saskatchewan has helped further the understanding about where these calcium deposits start.
Read more on the CLS website
Image: Marta Cerruti (left) and Ophelie Gourgas in a laboratory using a Raman machine.
Credit: Canadian Light Source