Editor’s note: Penn State Schuylkill’s Faculty Research Series offers faculty members the opportunity to share and discuss their current research and creative projects with the campus community. The seminars are held monthly throughout the academic year. For more stories like this, visit Faculty Research Series.
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. — During Penn State Schuylkill’s April Faculty Research Series event, Angie Hoptak-Solga, assistant teaching professor of biology, presented her research on the molecular mechanisms of bone growth and regeneration.
Hoptak-Solga discussed research conducted prior to joining Penn State Schuylkill in 2024, focusing on zebrafish and their unique ability to regenerate fin tissue. Because their fins remain accessible and continue to grow throughout their lives, zebrafish provide an effective model for studying bone growth and regeneration, she said.
Her research examines how bone cells, known as osteoblasts, communicate during the growth process. These cells exchange signals through structures called gap junctions, which allow small molecules to pass between neighboring cells. Hoptak-Solga highlighted the role of a specific gene, connexin43 (cx43), in this process.
Previous research has shown that mutations in the cx43 gene can lead to shortened fin growth in zebrafish. Hoptak-Solga’s work builds on these findings, suggesting that such mutations disrupt cell communication and may directly impact the regulation of bone length.
She also explored the relevance of this research to human health. In humans, mutations in the cx43 gene are associated with oculodentodigital dysplasia, a condition characterized by skeletal and craniofacial abnormalities. By studying gene function in zebrafish, she said researchers can gain insight into similar processes in human bone growth and development.
Hoptak-Solga’s research further demonstrated a correlation between bone segment length, levels of cell communication and rates of cell division in regenerating fins. Using targeted gene knockdown techniques, she examined how altering cx43 expression affects bone growth. She also utilized scanning electron microscopy to analyze bone and joint structures for abnormalities.
Beyond regeneration, Hoptak-Solga discussed the broader implications of her work in understanding bone health. Bone tissue is constantly remodeled through the balanced activity of osteoblasts, which build new bone, and osteoclasts, which break down old bone. Disruptions to this balance can lead to conditions such as osteoporosis, particularly as individuals age or experience microgravity environments.
She noted that future research may analyze the chemical composition and density of bone tissue using advanced imaging techniques. These studies could provide further insight into how bone repairs itself and how changes in composition relate to overall bone strength.
Hoptak-Solga said her research aims to deepen understanding of the body’s ability to repair bone and regenerate tissue, with potential applications for improving treatment of fractures and preventing bone loss both on Earth and in space environments.