The Landis Laboratory concerns itself with several aspects of connective tissue molecular biology, biochemistry, structure and function. These include research investigations of (1) Mineral-matrix structure and interaction in normal (bone, calcifying cartilage and tendon, enamel, dentin, and cementum) and abnormal (osteogenesis imperfecta, osteoporosis, osteopetrosis) vertebrate tissues; (2) Bone, cartilage, and tendon biochemistry; (3) Tissue engineering of connective and calcified tissues to fabricate models of human digits, ears, and knees; (4) Effects of mechanical, gravitational, and electromagnetic forces on calcified tissues; and (5) Orthopaedic pathologies such as those involving osteoarthritis, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, hypothyroidism, dysplasia, clubfoot and others.