biostudies-literatureAcerbo ASNIBIB NIH HHSNCRR NIH HHSNIAMS NIH HHS3607-13https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC3364542biostudies-literatureUnknown84(8)Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (FTIRM) is a widely used method for mapping the material properties of bone and other mineralized tissues, including mineralization, crystallinity, carbonate substitution, and collagen cross-linking. This technique is traditionally performed in a transmission-based geometry, which requires the preparation of plastic-embedded thin sections, limiting its functionality. Here, we theoretically and empirically demonstrate the development of reflection-based FTIRM as an alternative to the widely adopted transmission-based FTIRM, which reduces specimen preparation time and broadens the range of specimens that can be imaged. In this study, mature mouse femurs were plastic-embedded and longitudinal sections were cut at a thickness of 4 μm for transmissioAnalytical chemistryImaging the material properties of bone specimens using reflection-based infrared microspectroscopy.PMC3364542R01 AR052778P30 EB009998S10 RR023782-01AR052778S10 RR023782Carr GLMiller LMJudex SAcerbo ASfalseImaging the material properties of bone specimens using reflection-based infrared microspectroscopy.Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (FTIRM) is a widely used method for mapping the material properties of bone and other mineralized tissues, including mineralization, crystallinity, carbonate substitution, and collagen cross-linking. This technique is traditionally performed in a transmission-based geometry, which requires the preparation of plastic-embedded thin sections, limiting its functionality. Here, we theoretically and empirically demonstrate the development of reflection-based FTIRM as an alternative to the widely adopted transmission-based FTIRM, which reduces specimen preparation time and broadens the range of specimens that can be imaged. In this study, mature mouse femurs were plastic-embedded and longitudinal sections were cut at a thickness of 4 μm for transmissio2012-01-01T00:00:00Z2012 Apr2025-04-21T13:50:44.928Z2019-03-27T00:54:00ZS-EPMC33645422245530610.1021/ac203375d