Müller Group / Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics

Open Opportunities

Bone organoids: cell self-organization and cell-cell interactions ETH Zurich Müller Group / Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics In vitro 3D bone organoids aim to bridge the gap existing with current in vitro models (often on a 2D or represented by a single cell type) and in vivo situations. By definition organoid means resembling an organ this implies: multiple tissue-specific cell types, recapitulation some specific functio Cell Development (incl. Cell Division and Apoptosis), Protein Targeting and Signal Transduction Internship, Master Thesis, Semester Project

Bone’s Interpretation of Local Mechanical Signals ETH Zurich Müller Group / Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics The osteocyte lacunar network within bone is responsible for sensing mechanical signals, transducing them to biological signals, and orchestrating bone remodeling. Yet, the details of mechanical sensation are not understood and we must approach this topic computationally on the microscopic level. Engineering and Technology, Medical and Health Sciences Internship, Master Thesis, Semester Project

Designer Superamolecular Hydrogels to Probe Bone Biology ETH Zurich Müller Group / Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics Living tissues remodel themselves to adapt to their mechanical environment using self-assembled fibrillar proteins. By contrast, conventional synthetic materials lack this property. This project aims to build self-assembled, mechano-responsive fibrillar gels as dynamic extracellular matrix mimics. Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Macromolecular Chemistry, Materials Engineering, Organic Chemistry Master Thesis, Semester Project

In-vivo Quantification of Dorsal Collapse during Fracture Healing of the Distal Radius ETH Zurich Müller Group / Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics Registered, time-lapse in-vivo images of distal radius fractures provide the opportunity to investigate the link between the micromechanical environment and undesired patient outcomes (i.e. dorsal tilt, shortening of the radius, etc.) within the first year post-fracture. Engineering and Technology, Information, Computing and Communication Sciences, Medical and Health Sciences Bachelor Thesis, Internship, Master Thesis, Semester Project

3D-Printed mini-Bone-Organs ETH Zurich Müller Group / Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics Existing tissue engineering strategies fail to recreate the architecture and function of bone tissues which present a hierarchical organization over different length scales. Here we propose to apply high-resolution 3D-printing to sculpture mini-bone-organs in a petri dish. Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Biomaterials, Interdisciplinary Engineering, Macromolecular Chemistry, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Medical and Health Sciences, Polymers Master Thesis, Semester Project

In-vivo Quantification of Bone Remodeling in Fracture Healing ETH Zurich Müller Group / Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics Registered time-lapse in-vivo images of fractures of the radius and scaphoid can be used to quantify structural changes during the fracture healing process. By combining this data with clinical imaging and blood-based biomarkers, we hope to identify the specific metrics relevant to fracture healing. Biomechanical Engineering, Image Processing, Orthopaedics Bachelor Thesis, Internship, Master Thesis, Semester Project

Quantification of Trabecular Bone Morphology using Correspondence-based Shape Modeling Techniques ETH Zurich Müller Group / Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics Existing methods to quantify trabecular bone structure utilize unnecessary classifications and, as a result, ignore the shape-based morphology of the microstructure. In contrast, tThis project combines 3D morphological quantification with correspondence-based shape analysis to elucidate the trabecul Biomechanical Engineering, Image Processing, Orthopaedics, Pattern Recognition Bachelor Thesis, Internship, Master Thesis, Semester Project

Mechano-regulation of cellular interplay between mesenchymal, hematopoietic and vascular systems in the bone marrow microenvironment ETH Zurich Müller Group / Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics Bone marrow tissues are essential for sustained production of blood cellular components, the continuous remodeling of bone and efficient immune responses. This project aims to investigate the mechano-regulation of mesenchymal, hematopoietic and vascular systems in the bone marrow microenvironment. Engineering and Technology, Medical and Health Sciences Bachelor Thesis, Internship, Master Thesis, Semester Project

Mapping bone cells in vivo within their 3D environment ETH Zurich Müller Group / Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics Bone remodeling is a dynamic process that requires coordinated interactions between different bone cell types. In order to further our understanding in bone metabolism, these cellular networks and their micro-environments must be investigated locally in a site specific manner. Biology, Engineering and Technology, Medical and Health Sciences Bachelor Thesis, Lab Practice, Master Thesis, Semester Project

Computational analysis of mechanical strains in animal models of adaptation and regeneration ETH Zurich Müller Group / Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics A number of mouse loading models exist to study bone adaptation and regeneration. However, the loading conditions and strains that act on bones vary between the models. The aim of this project is to compare the loading parameters and the strain distribution in two animal models by means of FEA. Engineering and Technology, Information, Computing and Communication Sciences, Medical and Health Sciences Bachelor Thesis, Internship, Master Thesis, Semester Project