Researchers
Frank Abrams
Al Banes
Bob Dennis
Mansoor Haider
Clement Kleinstreuer
Elizabeth Loboa
Sharon Lubkin
Jeffrey Macdonald
Marian McCord
Peter Mente
Gary Mirka
Mette Olufsen
Afsaneh Rabiei
Lola Reid
Simon Roe
Stefan Seelecke
Brooke Steele
Glenn Walker
Paul Weinhold
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The analysis of the forces and motion of biological tissues, fluids, or their replacement in order to understand injury or disease mechanisms and to determine effective strategies to prevent injury and restore tissue function. Applications are focused on formation, injury, and disease processes of musculoskeletal and cardiovascular tissues.
Current Biomechanics research includes quantifying the material and mechanical properties of soft tissue. Dr. Peter Mente investigates the effects of mechanical loading on cells and tissues, especially early degenerative changes in cartilage following an impact injury. Dr. Frank Abrams studies mechanics of musculoskeletal tissues and tissue healing in the presence of mechanical stimulus. Dr. Elizabeth Loboa, director of the Cell Mechanics Laboratory, is working towards better understanding the effects of mechanical loads on mesenchymal tissue and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation.
Sharon Lubkin develops mathematical models of tissue dynamics,
incorporating cell dynamics into biomechanical models to understand
morphological changes in tissues. Dr. Paul Weinhold studies the mechanical properties of tendon. He uses this knowledge of mechanical limits to collaborate with Dr. Bing Yu to study sports medicine. Similarly, Dr. Gary Mirka is also interested in studying ways to prevent injury by focusing on occupational biomechanics and ergonomics. Despite efforts to prevent injury, accidents do happen. Dr. Simon Roe’s research is focused on studying fracture healing and advanced fracture repair techniques. In addition to physical models, mathematical models are used to model the behavior of soft tissues. Dr. Mansoor Haider is involved in mathematical modeling of cell-matrix-fluid interactions in soft tissues and viscoelastic properties of arterial walls.
| Biofluids research includes quantifying the behavior of biological fluids and the
interaction of these fluids with tissues and systems. Research areas include the study
of fluids and aerosols. Dr. Clement Kleinsteuer uses fluid-solid interaction (FSI) models to study the interaction between blood, vessel walls, and medical devices, and is also investigating the toxic and therapeutic effects of aerosol transport and
uptake in the respiratory system.
Dr. Carol Lucas is currently using experimental and mathematical models to studying the energy losses associated with Fontan repairs. cardiovascular hemodynamics. Dr. Mette Olufsen uses mathematics to model the dynamics of blood flow during postural changes. She also works with Dr. Brooke Steele on Simulation Based Medical Planning. Dr. Steele’s work is focused on developing a clinically accessible tool for use in the planning and optimization of vascular surgery. Finally, Dr. Glenn Walker uses microfluidics to characterize the effects of microenvironments on cell cultures. |
Tissue Engineering research covers a broad category of functional tissue engineering, artificial organs, implants, medical textiles, and lab-on-a chip. Dr Elizabeth Loboa will use her understanding of mechanobiology of MSCs to develop implantable skeletal tissues that can withstand in vivo loading. Dr. Albert Banes is also focused developing tissues that can withstand in vivo environment. He is working to develop a functional bioartificial tendon for injury repair. Dr. Robert Dennis is working to develop self-organizing living systems. Dr. Jeffrey Macdonald and Dr. Lola Reid both work on developing artificial livers. Dr. Stefan Seelecke and Dr. Afsaneh Rabiei are developing advanced biomaterials for medical applications including implant coatings. Dr. Marian McCord is interested in the development of medical textiles. She is currently involved in the development of barrier fabrics, nanocomposite fibers, structure/property relationships of fibers, and plasma surface modification of polymers. Dr. Glenn Walker is interested in developing tissue cultures-on-a-chip for use in transplantation research and drug testing.
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