Biomechanics
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Research Topics:Theoretical modelling; Computational Analysis; Biomechanics; Mutiphysics; Systems (Mechano)Biology; Multiscale Modelling; Patient-specific Modelling; In Silico MedicineContact: [email protected] |
RESEARCH | PEOPLE | PROJECTS & COLLABORATIONS | JOB OPPORTUNITIES | PUBLICATIONS
RESEARCH
Biomechanics and Mechanobiology (BMMB) is one of the eight Research Areas of BCN MedTech. It settled at UPF in 2015. Research at BMMB focuses on the load-bearing organs and tissues of the human body in health and disease, and it targets (i) the interactions between tissue multiphysics and biological processes, (ii) the multiscale regulation of organ functional biomechanics, (iii) the identification of mechanistic risk factors associated with different diseases and disorders, based on synthetic data and on the virtual augmentation of real world data.
Numerical methods that combine different modelling and simulation techniques are used to describe both the tissues at the organ level, and the tissue-cell interactions at the tissue and cellular levels. Models are usually developed to admit real world biological and/or clinical data as inputs, in addition to mechanical data from motion analyses where relevant. Theoretical and numerical concepts are tested against in vivo and in vitro data, allowing mechanistic interpretations of both experimental and clinical evidences, in addition to model validations.
On the one hand, emphasis is given in the study of the multiscale transfer of mechanical effects from the system level to the cell level in different scenarios, e.g. simulated treatments, organ/tissue condition or cell cultures; relative to a chosen reference state. On the other hand, advanced tissue models are used to link observable phenotypes to possible mechanisms of spatiotemporal tissue regulation that will depend on the prediction of different cell microenvironments. Both top-down and bottom-up approaches are adopted, to eventually apprehend the regulation of highly multifactorial diseases and disorders.
SPINE & INTERVERTEBRAL DISC
Finite element modelling of the spine and intervertebral disc, for:
- Spine surgery planning and prognosis
- Intervertebral disc pathophysiology exploration
Coupling with:
- image- and point-processing for patient-specific modelling (statistical shape modelling, mesh morphing)
- Tissue multiphysics modelling
- Systems biology models (network, agent-based) for dynamic modelling of intervertebral disc biological regulation
| REFERENCE ARTICLE 1 | REFERENCE ARTICLE 2 | REFERENCE ARTICLE 3 |
CARTILAGE & OSTEOARTHRITIS
Gait analysis and knee finite element modelling to:
- Capture patient-specific knee joint loads
- Calculate different stress and composition changes in the knee cartilage
Coupled with:
- Osteoarthritis patient clinical and biological data
- Tissue multiphysics modelling
- Network models for chondrocyte biochemical regulation coupled to mechanotransduction
| REFERENCE ARTICLE 1 | REFERENCE ARTICLE 2 |
BONE & OSTEOPOROSIS
Patient-specific (mesh morphing) and structured finite element modelling to:
- Explore mechanical fracture predictors in osteoporosis patients
- Quantify the mechanical effect of drug treatments in osteoporosis
Coupled with:
- The exploitation of DXA image through the 3D Shaper® technology
- The exploration of the respective contributions of the trabecular and cortical bone tissues
- Different bone constitutive modelling (elastic; elasto-plastic; multi-scale) approaches
MOTION ANALYSIS & BODY FUNCTION
Subject motion & posture capture and analysis to:
- Assess clinical decisions and phenotypes
- Identify descriptors of body stability, e.g., associated with joint coordination, muscle tension or breathing
Coupled with:
- Patient clinical data
- Multivariate statiscal analyses & Machine Learning
- Alternative motion sensor technologies
| REFERENCE ARTICLE 1 | REFERENCE ARTICLE 2 | REFERENCE ARTICLE 3 |
ATHEROSCLEROSIS
RESPIRATION & CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE
RESSOURCES & INFRASTRUCTURES
PEOPLE
Current Members
HEAD |
POSDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS |
PhD CANDIDATES |
Estefano Muñoz
Former MembersThemis Toumanidou (PhD Candidate) - Now, research Engineer at Medtronics.
PROJECTS & COLLABORATIONS
CURRENT PROJECTS
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ANDAMIO (RTC2019-007413-1) will predict, from 2D DXA images, the risk of osteoporotic fracture in 3D in the lumbar spine. The predictive algorithm will rely on biomechanical simulations that integrate the bone morphology and quality, external and internal loads, and the influence of soft tissues. The software will integrate the 3D-SHAPER technology, and use 3D-SHAPER outputs to:
The ultimate clinical goal for ANDAMIO is to predict at least 80% of osteoporotic fractures. In the case of successful clinical validation, the technology will be integrated into a commercial software version that will be personalized to be compatible with machines of the main leaders of the market. |
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It is a multi-disciplinary project that aims to describ the probability to develop musculoskeletal conditions related to physical and psychological stress. |
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Training network to advance integrated computational simulations in translational medicine, applied to intervertebral disc degeneration. |
Past projects
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Clinical and virtual examination of patients for holistic and objective description of the osteoarthritis progression mechanisms. |
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
PUBLICATIONS