In recent years the study of bone cells and tissues at the cellular and molecular levels in a variety of models has revolutionized the field. In Osteoporosis: Methods and Protocols leading scientists from around the world share their step-by-step laboratory protocols for studying bone biology. The topics covered in this volume include in vitro models in vivo models utilized for drug testing tissue engineering and osteoporosis studies in either gender state-of-the-art molecular techniques to assess single genes or for global genomic analysis powerful imaging techniques and many more. As a volume in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology(TM) series each chapter provides a brief introduction a list of necessary materials and a Notes section detailing tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and cutting-edge Osteoporosis: Methods and Protocols is the perfect guide for both new and experienced experimentalists attempting to study the devastating silent disease known as osteoporosis.