/ Contact
Agnès OSTERTAG
agnes.ostertag@inserm.fr
Hôpital Lariboisière
2, rue Ambroise Paré
75457 Paris Cedex 10
X-ray Imaging
The imaging platform specializes in research on bones and joints, with a strong connection to clinical research.
Our imaging methods help us develop biomarkers. These markers are quantitative tools designed to track structural changes in both pathological and normal bone and joint tissues.
/ Expertises
The imaging platform offers expertise in several fields:
- Implementation of 2D and 3D quantitative and qualitative imaging techniques (for bone tissue and vascularization and renal calcifications)
- Development and optimization of protocols, tailored to the size and type of samples
- Scientific and technical expert advice and user support
- Participation in the interpretation and analysis of parameters
Additionally, imaging can be combined with histological analysis offered on our other dedicated platform, particularly for the study of undecalcified hard tissues and decalcified hard or soft tissues.
/ Services offered
- Acquisition and analysis of bone microarchitecture and bone mineral density
- Longitudinal monitoring of bone mineral density
- Characterization of articular tissues and cartilage calcifications
- Caracterization of extra-skeletal calcifications : kidney calcifications
(All services are upon request and following a review of the project)
/ Equipment
Brucker Skyscan 1272 in vitro micro-CT scanner
Used for high-resolution 3D X-ray imaging, this device achieves spatial resolution on the micron scale, corresponding to a voxel size of nearly 1×10⁻⁹ mm³ (e.g., imaging of calcified human or murine samples with or without integrated biological material, soft tissues such as kidneys, or materials like implants). As with "macro" CT scanners, the internal structure can be reconstructed and analyzed in a completely non-destructive manner.
Faxitron ultrafocus DXA
Used for ultra-high-resolution imaging and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). It provides in vivo results on bone mineral density and body composition (lean and fat mass) from whole-body imaging of small animals such as mice. This allows researchers to perform multiple in situ measurements throughout the animal’s life, providing true longitudinal data. As a digital radiography system, it produces high-quality images of animals.
Scanco Xtremct CT scanner
Peripheral quantitative computed tomography using X-rays to study bone microarchitecture: high-resolution 3D imaging (80 µm³) of human bones (radius and tibia) for medical research and diagnostic purposes, particularly in monitoring osteoporosis.
/ Faculty
Morgane BOURMAUD – Engineer
Mylène ZARKA – Engineer
Nathalie ANDROCLES – Engineer assistant
Pascale CHANTRENNE – Technician
Jacqueline FRANCISQUIN – Technician
Gwenaelle JAYAT – Technician
Maeva ROULLAT – Technician
Sylvie THOMASSEAU – Technician
/ Selected Publications
2025, Oct 30 – J Bone Miner Res. doi: 10.1093/jbmr/zjaf159
Ostertag A, Léger B, Koumakis E, Fardellone P, Zarka M, Funck-Brentano T, Mabilleau G, Cohen-Solal M.
2026 – Aquaculture 610 doi :10.1016/j.aquaculture.2025.742915
Lucia Drabikova, Saskia Krockel, P. Eckhard Witten, Guido Riesen, Paul Morris,Agnes Ostertag, Martine Cohen-Solal, Thomas W.K. Fraser, Per Gunnar Fjelldal.
Oct 2024 – 187:117179. doi:
10.1016/j.bone.2024
Funck-Brentano T, Vanjak A, Ostertag A, Nethander M, Fernandez S, Collet C, Hans D, van Rietbergen, B, Cohen-Solal M.
Mar 2023 – JBMR Plus. 7(6):e10741. doi: 10.1002/jbm4.10741
Fabre S, Bourmaud M, Mabilleau G, Goulet R, Couturier A, Dentel A, Picaud S, Funck-Brentano T, Collet C, Cohen-Solal M.