Celebrating 50-years: the history and future of the International Society of Bone Morphometry

Abstract

The International Society of Bone Morphometry (ISBM) is dedicated to advancing research, education, and clinical practice for osteoporosis and other bone disorders by developing and improving tools for the quantitative imaging and analysis of bone. Its initial core mission was to promote the proper use of morphometric techniques in bone research and to educate and train clinicians and basic scientists in bone morphometry. This article chronicles the evolution of the ISBM and the history and development of bone morphometric techniques for the past 50-years, starting with workshops on bone morphometry in 1973, to the formal incorporation of the ISBM in 1996, to today. We also provide a framework and vision for the coming decades. This effort was led by ISBM presidents Dr Erica L. Scheller (2022-2024) and Dr Thomas J. Wronski (2009-2012) in collaboration with all other living ISBM presidents. Though the underlying techniques and questions have changed over time, the need for standardization of established tools and discovery of novel approaches for bone morphometry remains a constant. The ISBM fulfills this need by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas, with a philosophy that encourages the open discussion of pitfalls and challenges among clinicians, scientists, and industry partners. This facilitates the rapid development and adaptation of tools to meet emerging demands within the field of bone health at a high level.

Keywords: analysis/quantitation of bone; bone histomorphometry; bone modeling and remodeling; bone qct/microct.

Figure 1

Bone morphometry definition and examples. (A) Bone morphometry is the quantitative analysis of form using diverse 2D and 3D representations. (B) Example images of bone tissues that can be used to analyze diverse aspects of morphometry. Microscopic and tomographic images and representations provided by members of the ISBM.

Figure 2

Twelve milestones in bone morphometry. Twelve scientific and technical milestones in the history of bone morphometry are highlighted in this timeline ranging from the 16th century to modern day. Key dates in the initiation, incorporation, and evolution of the ISBM are also noted. Graphic created in BioRender, Xray icon by Anton Kalashnyk.

Figure 3

Attendees of the first Workshop on Bone Morphometry. Attendee key: 1 Witmer, 2 Owen, 3 S Meema, 4 NA, 5 Bogorogh, 6 Liskova, 7 Weinberg, 8 Harrison, 9 Duncan, 10 Jaworski, 11 Norimatsu, 12 E Meema, 13 Ritz, 14 Van Eeck, 15 NA, 16 Doyle, 17 Fornasier, 18 Meunier, 19 Marotti, 20 Olah, 21 Shim, 22 Black, 23 Shulz, 24 Takahashi, 25 Villanoeva, 26 Baud, 27 Ubthoff, 28 NA, 29 NA, 30 NA, 31 Arnold, 32 Jee, 33 Lok, 34 Klosevyeh, 35 Bordier, 36 Del Pozo, 37 NA, 38 Myhal, 39 Cameron, 40 NA, 41 Coupron, 42 Kaye, 43 Hollins, 44 Jette, 45 Singh, 46 Jande, 47 Roberts, 48 Sturtridge, 49 NA, 50 Schock, 51 Edouard, 52 NA, 53 Dequeker, 54 Belanger, 55 Anderson, 56 Genant, 57 Parfitt, 58 Frame, 59 Roelfsema, 60 Copp, 61 NA, 62 Morgan, 63 Epker, 64 NA, 65 Guay, 66 Digabel, 67 NA, 68 NA, 69 Janigan, 70 NA, 71, Heaney, 72 Schenk, 73 NA, 74 NA, 75 Kimmel, 76 NA, 77 NA. NA = data not available.

Figure 4

Second bone morphometry workshop in Lyon, France. (A) Group photo of the attendees of the second ISBM meeting. Participants (alphabetical): C. Alexandre, S.Y. Ali, M. Arlot, R. Baron, C.A. Baud, D.H. Birkenhager, H.E. Black, E. Bonucci, P.J. Bordier, A. Boyde, W.M. Bremer, F. Caulin, P. Courpron, G. Delling, J. Dequeker, A. Dhem, A. Dryll, H. Duncan, J. Duriez, C. Edouard, L. Flora, R.J. Francois, H.M. Frost, M.E. Holtrop, Z.G.F. Jaworski, W.S.S. Jee, M.R.A. Khairi, B. Krempien, A.M. Laponche, G. Lunel, C.R. Manegold, P. Marie, G. Marotti, J.L. Mattherw, F. Meersseman, F. Melsen, P.J. Munier, B. Mills, B. Moyen, R.W. Norrdin, A.J. Olah, A.M. Parfitt, N. Piret, A. Rebel, R.R. Recker, W.E. Roberts, B. Rosemeyer, J.L. Sebert, S. Teitelbaum, W. Van Eek, E. Vignon, G. Vignon, A.R. Villaneuva, W.J. Visser, and C.G. Woods. (B) Dr Harold Frost pictured wearing an “ARF ribbon” to celebrate the activation, resorption, formation paradigm of bone turnover at the second meeting of the ISBM in Lyon, France, in 1976.

Figure 5

Fifth ISBM congress in Niigata, Japan, and long-term collaborations between ISBM and JSBM. (A) Group photo of the attendees of the fifth ISBM meeting in Niigata, Japan. (B) Singing of the conference song by led by D.C. Anderson to the tune of “Oh My Darlin’ Clementine”. Lyrics can be found in Supplemental Figure 1. (C) Image of Dr Hideaki E. Takahashi (right, organizer of the fifth ISBM congress; also attended the first workshop in 1973) and colleague Dr Noriaki Yamamoto (left) with current ISBM President Dr E.L. Scheller at the 2023 meeting of the JSBM.

Figure 6

Incorporation and congresses of the ISBM from 1996 to 2022. (A) ISBM logo. (B) ISBM President Dr Gastone Marotti presents a commemorative plate to Dr Hartmut Malluche at the Seventh ISBM congress in recognition of his efforts to formally incorporate the ISBM as a non-profit society. (C) Dr Tom Wronski (ISBM President 2009-2012) and Dr Robert Recker (keynote speaker in 2006 and 2012) at the 12th ISBM congress in 2012. (D) Participants at the 12th congress aboard the Queen of Excelsior on Lake Minnetonka. Top: Karen Callon and Dr Natalie Sims (keynote speaker in 2022). Bottom: Dr Hua Zhou and Dr David Dempster (ISBM President 1996-1999). (E) Participants in Tokyo, Japan at the 13th congress in 2015, organized by Dr Masaki Noda. (F) Many travel award winners in Orlando, Florida at the 14th congress in 2019, organized by Dr D. Rick Sumner. (G) Participants gather at the Odense Zoo during the 15th congress in 2022, organized in Odense, Denmark by Dr Thomas Andersen.

Figure 7

New leaders and evolution of the ISBM Mission from 2022 to 2024. (A) In person meetup of the ISBM leadership at ASBMR in 2023. From the left: Dr Michelle McDonald, Dr Marta Diaz del Castillo, Dr Ralph Muller, Dr Joel Boerckel, Dr Lilian Plotkin, Dr Ahmed Al Saedi, nd, Dr Sarah Dallas, Dr Pascale Chavassieux, Dr Thomas Andersen, Dr Aline Bozec, Dr Randee Hunter, Dr Erica Scheller, and Dr Frank Ko. (B) In person meetup of the ISBM leadership at ASBMR in 2022. From the left: Dr Julian Balanta Melo, Dr Frank Ko, Dr Michelle McDonald, Dr Marta Diaz del Castillo, Dr Thomas Andersen, Dr Ralph Muller, Dr Elizabeth Zimmerman, Dr Mohamed Hassan, Dr Sarah Dallas, Dr Joel Boerckel, Dr Lilian Plotkin, Dr Erica Scheller, Dr Ahmed Al Saedi, Dr Randee Hunter, and visiting colleague. (C) Dr Thomas Andersen presenting at the ISBM joint session at ASBMR in 2023 entitled “Meet the Experts: Histomorphometry and Quantitative Imaging of Bone.”