Biochemical markers of bone turnover

Much of the research effort in bone biology is directed towards understanding the mechanisms of bone modelling and remodelling. This includes attempts to elucidate the influences of a large number of biochemical and biophysical factors on cellular processes in bone. The development of techniques to quantify specific facets of these processes in bone provides important tools to facilitate research in this area. Markers of bone turnover also have more general applications clinically in the detection and management of disorders involving the skeleton. Indeed, the increasing interest in osteoporosis and related disorders in recent years has probably contributed some impetus to the major advances in developing new markers that have occurred recently.