Biomechanics
Biomechanics is the study of the structure and function of biological systems, using methods from engineering mechanics. Areas included under this topic are musculoskeletal modelling, orthopaedics, cardiovascular biomechanics and soft tissue modelling. Since many bioogical systems are complex, it can be beneficial to use engineering methods to calculate approximations of their mechanical behaviour.
For queries about this topic, contact Hans Fangohr.
View the calendar of events relating to this topic.
Projects
Centre for Doctoral Training in Next Generation Computational Modelling
Hans Fangohr, Ian Hawke, Peter Horak (Investigators), Susanne Ufermann Fangohr, Thorsten Wittemeier, Kieran Selvon, Alvaro Perez-Diaz, David Lusher, Ashley Setter, Emanuele Zappia, Hossam Ragheb, Ryan Pepper, Stephen Gow, Jan Kamenik, Paul Chambers, Robert Entwistle, Rory Brown, Joshua Greenhalgh, James Harrison, Jonathon Waters, Ioannis Begleris, Craig Rafter
The £10million Centre for Doctoral Training was launched in November 2013 and is jointly funded by EPSRC, the University of Southampton, and its partners.
The NGCM brings together world-class simulation modelling research activities from across the University of Southampton and hosts a 4-year doctoral training programme that is the first of its kind in the UK.
Coronary Artery Stent Design for Challenging Disease
Neil Bressloff (Investigator), Georgios Ragkousis
In this work, a method has been setup to (i) reconstruct diseased patient specific coronary artery segments; (ii) use the new supercomputer to run many simulations of this complex problem and (iii) assess the degree of stent malapposition. The aim now is to devise a stent delivery system that can mitigate this problem
How far can we stretch the MARTINI?
Syma Khalid (Investigator), Ric Gillams
To date, coarse-grained lipid models have generally been parameterised to ensure the correct prediction of structural properties of membranes, such as the area per lipid and the bilayer thickness. The work described here explores the extent to which coarse-grained models are able to predict correctly bulk properties of lipids (phase behaviour) as well as the mechanical properties, such as lateral pressure profiles and stored elastic stress in bilayers. Such an evaluation is crucial for understanding the predictive capabilities of coarse-grained models.
Image Based Modelling of Fluid Flow through Lymph Nodes
Tiina Roose, Bharathram Ganapathisubramani, Geraldine Clough (Investigators), Laura Cooper
In this project we are using images of mouse lymph nodes to investigate the fluid transport pathways through it. The images of the nodes are taken using selective plane illumination microscopy, and synchrotron micro computed tomography. The fluid flow is modelled using Darcy's law in COMSOL Multiphysics and the models are run on the Iridis cluster.
Investigations of Lymphatic Fluid Flow
Tiina Roose, Bharathram Ganapathisubramani, Geraldine Clough (Investigators), Laura Cooper
The lymphatic system performs three main roles returns interstitial fluid back into the blood stream to maintain tissue fluid homeostasis. The aim of this project is to increase our understanding of how the lymph flows through the system by creating three dimensional fluid structure interaction models of the secondary lymphatic valves and image based models of lymph nodes.
Microstructural modeling of skin mechanics
Georges Limbert (Investigator), Emanuele Zappia
Microstructural modeling of skin mechanics to gain a mechanistic insight into the biomechanics of the skin.
Modelling mechanoreceptor reaction to tissue deformation
Mark Taylor (Investigator), Gwen Palmer
This project involved the modelling of a piece of knee joint capsule, which will produce an electrical output when mechanically stimulated. The model is based on expermental work carried out by P. Grigg and A.H. Hoffman (1982).
Modelling neuronal activity at the knee joint
Mark Taylor, Tiina Roose (Investigators), Gwen Palmer
The function of the knee joint is reliant on proprioception, which involves the response of nerve endings in the tissues at the joint. This project will be concentrating on the neuronal activity, caused by mechanical stimuli, of the more common receptors found at the knee (Ruffini, Paciniform, Golgi and Nociceptor).
There are three stages to this project:
1. Modelling the behaviour of each individual receptor, with the use of the Hodgkin-Huxley model [1].
2. These models will then be applied to the soft tissues around a knee, where a global deformation of the tissue will result in local stimulation of receptors.
3. The soft tissue models will then be applied to structures in the knee.
[1] - Hodgkin, A.L. and A.F. Huxley, A quantitative description of membrane current and its application to conduction and excitation in nerve. Journal of Physiology, 1952. 117: p. 500-544.
Multi-objective design optimisation of coronary stents
Neil Bressloff, Georges Limbert (Investigators), Sanjay Pant
Stents are tubular type scaffolds that are deployed (using an inflatable balloon on a catheter), most commonly to recover the shape of narrowed (diseased) arterial segments. Despite the widespread clinical use of stents in cardiovascular intervention, the presence of such devices can cause adverse responses leading to fatality or to the need for further treatment. The most common unwanted responses of inflammation are in-stent restenosis and thrombosis. Such adverse biological responses in a stented artery are influenced by many factors, including the design of the stent. This project aims at using multi-objective optimisation techniques to find an optimum family of coronary stents which are more resistant to the processes of in-stent restenosis (IR) and stent thrombosis (ST).
MXL Project
Mark Taylor, Junfen Shi (Investigators)
‘MXL’ is short for “Enhanced patient safety by computational Modelling from clinically available X-rays to minimise the risk of overload and instability for optimised function and Longevity”. This is an international EU-funded project which the Bioengineering Sciences Research Group at Southampton is involved in. For more information, visit http://www.m-x-l.eu
Respiratory mask modeling
Jacques Ernes
Abaqus modelling of repiratory masks, bioengineering, Health sciences
Statistical model of the knee
Mark Taylor (Investigator), Francis Galloway, Prasanth Nair
Development of methods for large scale computational testing of a tibial tray incorporating inter-patient variability.
The tarsal intersegmental reflex control system in the locust hind leg
David Simpson, Philip Newland (Investigators), Alicia Costalago Meruelo
Locomotion is vital for vertebrates and invertebrates to survive. Despite that feet are responsible for stability and agility in most animals, research on feet movements and their reflexes is scarce.
In this thesis, the tarsal reflex responses of locust will be studied and modelled with ANNs to achieve a deeper comprehension of how stability and agility is accomplished.
The choice of ANNs is linked to the applicability of the method into other fields, such as technological designs or medical treatment.
µ-VIS Computed Tomography Centre
Ian Sinclair, Richard Boardman, Dmitry Grinev, Philipp Thurner, Simon Cox, Jeremy Frey, Mark Spearing, Kenji Takeda (Investigators)
A dedicated centre for computed tomography (CT) at Southampton, providing complete support for 3D imaging science, serving Engineering, Biomedical, Environmental and Archaeological Sciences. The centre encompasses five complementary scanning systems supporting resolutions down to 200nm and imaging volumes in excess of one metre: from a matchstick to a tree trunk, from an ant's wing to a gas turbine blade.
People
Professor, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Professor, Medicine (FM)
Professor, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Professor, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Professor, Chemistry (FNES)
Professor, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Professor, Biological Sciences (FNES)
Professor, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Professor, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Professor, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Reader, Optoelectronics Research Centre
Reader, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Senior Lecturer, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Senior Lecturer, Institute of Sound & Vibration Research (FEE)
Lecturer, Mathematics (FSHS)
Lecturer, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Lecturer, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Lecturer, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Principal Research Fellow, Chemistry (FNES)
Senior Research Fellow, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Research Fellow, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Research Fellow, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Research Fellow, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Research Fellow, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Postgraduate Research Student, Mathematics (FSHS)
Postgraduate Research Student, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Postgraduate Research Student, Civil Engineering & the Environment (FEE)
Postgraduate Research Student, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Postgraduate Research Student, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Postgraduate Research Student, University of Southampton
Postgraduate Research Student, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Postgraduate Research Student, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Postgraduate Research Student, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Postgraduate Research Student, Chemistry (FNES)
Postgraduate Research Student, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Postgraduate Research Student, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Postgraduate Research Student, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Postgraduate Research Student, Electronics and Computer Science (FPAS)
Postgraduate Research Student, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Postgraduate Research Student, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Postgraduate Research Student, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Postgraduate Research Student, Chemistry (FNES)
Postgraduate Research Student, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Postgraduate Research Student, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Postgraduate Research Student, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Postgraduate Research Student, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Postgraduate Research Student, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Postgraduate Research Student, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Postgraduate Research Student, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Postgraduate Research Student, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
Technical Staff, iSolutions
Administrative Staff, Research and Innovation Services
Administrative Staff, Civil Engineering & the Environment (FEE)
Alumnus, University of Southampton
Alumnus, Engineering Sciences (FEE)
External Member, Technical University of Eindhoven
External Member, Queen Mary University of London
None, None