DUKE UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
DUKEHEALTH.ORG
| Research |
| Overview | Cell Mechanobiology | Tissue Mechanobiology Joint Biomechanics | Tissue Engineering |
Overview
Researchers at the OBL conduct integrated and multidisciplinary studies that span multiple hierarchical scales, from the sub-cellular scales to that of the whole body. Each hierarchical scale has specific advantages and disadvantages, so the ability to cross different levels of study, as well as different in vitro and in vivo model systems, has proved enormously valuable in our ability to translate findings from one system to another.
This hierarchical approach serves as a powerful teaching tool in that it facilitates an understanding of the role of specific research questions in the overall study of a disease process.
Philosophically, an important goal of ours has been to develop a basic science laboratory that has strong ties with industry and with physicians to facilitate the translation of basic science studies to the clinic. We are at a critical point in our understanding of the osteoarthritic disease process and in our abilities to "regenerate" articular cartilage and other musculoskeletal tissues. Even with many recent advances in these areas, numerous important and interesting questions remain in these fields that cannot be answered using current biomechanical or biological techniques alone. From this standpoint, investigation of the following research areas will provide new perspectives on our understanding of the osteoarthritis disease process by bringing together the principles of biomechanics and biology:
1. At the cellular, sub-cellular, & peri-cellular levels, an accurate and quantitative understanding of the physiological stress-strain, fluid flow, and physicochemical environment of cartilage cells (chondrocytes), and the precise roles of these physical factors in the intracellular transduction of mechanical signals.
2. At the tissue levels, the investigation of the interplay between mechanical factors and biochemical factors (e.g., matrix molecules, genetic factors, or soluble mediators such as cytokines and growth factors) in the regulation of chondrocyte physiology in normal and disease states.
3. At the joint and whole body levels, the development of non-invasive or minimally-invasive methods to quantify skeletal differentiation, morphology, composition, structure, and mechanical function.
4. Tissue Engineering studies span all hierarchical levels, by applying biomechanical engineering principles towards the development of bio-artificial, or "tissue-engineered" replacements for articular cartilage and other joint tissues.
This hierarchical approach serves as a powerful teaching tool in that it facilitates an understanding of the role of specific research questions in the overall study of a disease process.
Philosophically, an important goal of ours has been to develop a basic science laboratory that has strong ties with industry and with physicians to facilitate the translation of basic science studies to the clinic. We are at a critical point in our understanding of the osteoarthritic disease process and in our abilities to "regenerate" articular cartilage and other musculoskeletal tissues. Even with many recent advances in these areas, numerous important and interesting questions remain in these fields that cannot be answered using current biomechanical or biological techniques alone. From this standpoint, investigation of the following research areas will provide new perspectives on our understanding of the osteoarthritis disease process by bringing together the principles of biomechanics and biology:
1. At the cellular, sub-cellular, & peri-cellular levels, an accurate and quantitative understanding of the physiological stress-strain, fluid flow, and physicochemical environment of cartilage cells (chondrocytes), and the precise roles of these physical factors in the intracellular transduction of mechanical signals.
2. At the tissue levels, the investigation of the interplay between mechanical factors and biochemical factors (e.g., matrix molecules, genetic factors, or soluble mediators such as cytokines and growth factors) in the regulation of chondrocyte physiology in normal and disease states.
3. At the joint and whole body levels, the development of non-invasive or minimally-invasive methods to quantify skeletal differentiation, morphology, composition, structure, and mechanical function.
4. Tissue Engineering studies span all hierarchical levels, by applying biomechanical engineering principles towards the development of bio-artificial, or "tissue-engineered" replacements for articular cartilage and other joint tissues.
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