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Multiphysics Modelling of Revascularization during Bone Healing
Poor revascularization of the injury site during bone healing can severely delay or even prevent formation of new bone tissue. This project aims to use a multiscale, multiphysics model to study what factors influence the formation of blood vessels during bone healing.
Successful bone fracture healing relies upon adequate revascularization of the injury site. This process involves angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels. However, the mechanisms underlying “osteo-angio coupling”, the association between angiogenesis and osteogenesis, are incompletely understood. The extent to which revascularization is needed for providing sufficient supply of oxygen, other nutrients, and cells during bone repair is an open question. Furthermore, the influence of mechanical stimuli in regulation of bone formation, of vessel formation, and of the relationship between these two tissues has not been established. Answering these questions is necessary for understanding better ways to treat bone injuries.
In silico models are a powerful tool for testing hypotheses regarding osteo-angio coupling during bone healing. A multiscale, multiphysics model of bone healing has been developed that includes multiple types of cells in the skeletal, vascular, and immune system, and the biological and biochemical interactions among these cells in response to injury and mechanical loading. This model can complement a large body of experimental data on bone healing, gathered from laboratory studies.
Successful bone fracture healing relies upon adequate revascularization of the injury site. This process involves angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels. However, the mechanisms underlying “osteo-angio coupling”, the association between angiogenesis and osteogenesis, are incompletely understood. The extent to which revascularization is needed for providing sufficient supply of oxygen, other nutrients, and cells during bone repair is an open question. Furthermore, the influence of mechanical stimuli in regulation of bone formation, of vessel formation, and of the relationship between these two tissues has not been established. Answering these questions is necessary for understanding better ways to treat bone injuries.
In silico models are a powerful tool for testing hypotheses regarding osteo-angio coupling during bone healing. A multiscale, multiphysics model of bone healing has been developed that includes multiple types of cells in the skeletal, vascular, and immune system, and the biological and biochemical interactions among these cells in response to injury and mechanical loading. This model can complement a large body of experimental data on bone healing, gathered from laboratory studies.
The goal of this project is to use the multiscale, multiphysics model to determine the effects of biochemical conditions at the injury site on angiogenesis during bone healing. Using available experimental observations as a guide, the student will vary the model inputs to explore the respective roles of secretion of angiogenic growth factors (proteins) by skeletal and immune cells in different regions - such as the periosteum and marrow cavity - within and adjacent to the injury site.
The goal of this project is to use the multiscale, multiphysics model to determine the effects of biochemical conditions at the injury site on angiogenesis during bone healing. Using available experimental observations as a guide, the student will vary the model inputs to explore the respective roles of secretion of angiogenic growth factors (proteins) by skeletal and immune cells in different regions - such as the periosteum and marrow cavity - within and adjacent to the injury site.
This project is in collaboration with the Orthopaedic and Developmental Biomechanics Laboratory (www.bu.edu/odbl) at the Department of Mechanical Engineering and may be conducted in part or in full at Boston University. Please contact Prof. Elise Morgan (efmorgan@bu.edu) or Prof. Ralph Müller (ram@ethz.ch) for further information. The project is only open to students registered at ETH Zurich with supervision through Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zürich, Professorship Ralph Müller.
This project is in collaboration with the Orthopaedic and Developmental Biomechanics Laboratory (www.bu.edu/odbl) at the Department of Mechanical Engineering and may be conducted in part or in full at Boston University. Please contact Prof. Elise Morgan (efmorgan@bu.edu) or Prof. Ralph Müller (ram@ethz.ch) for further information. The project is only open to students registered at ETH Zurich with supervision through Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zürich, Professorship Ralph Müller.