My research focuses on experimental and computational soft tissue biomechanics with special emphasis on human brain mechanics and the relationship between brain structure and function. In addition, we study the mechanics of hydrogels with the aim to identify substitutes for native human tissues with similar mechanical properties for applications in tissue engineering and biofabrication.
Research projects
Experimental characterization of biological tissues and hydrogels
Multi-scale, multi-physics modeling and computation
Material modeling and parameter identification
Brain mechanics across scales
Hydrogel mechanics and 3D-bioprinting
Mechanical modeling of growth and diffusion
Mechanical instabilities
Current projects
BRAIn mechaNIcs ACross Scales: Linking microstructure, mechanics and pathology
(Third Party Funds Single)
Term: 1. October 2019 - 30. September 2022 Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Emmy-Noether-Programm (EIN-ENP) URL: https://www.brainiacs.forschung.fau.de/
The current research project aims to develop microstructurallymotivated mechanical models for brain tissue that facilitate early diagnosticsof neurodevelopmental or neurodegenerative diseases and enable the developmentof novel treatment strategies. In a first step, we will experimentallycharacterize the behavior of brain tissue across scales by using versatiletesting techniques on the same sample. Through an accompanying microstructuralanalysis of both cellular and extra-cellular components, we will evaluate thecomplex interplay of brain structure, mechanics and function. We will alsoexperimentally investigate dynamic changes in tissue properties duringdevelopment and disease, due to changes in the mechanical environment of cells (mechanosensing),or external loading. Based on the simultaneous analysis of experimental andmicrostructural data, we will develop microstructurally motivated constitutive lawsfor the regionally varying mechanical behavior of brain tissue. In addition, wewill develop evolution laws that predict remodeling processes duringdevelopment, homeostasis, and disease. Through the implementation within afinite element framework, we will simulate the behavior of brain tissue underphysiological and pathological conditions. We will predict how known biologicalprocesses on the cellular scale, such as changes in the tissue’smicrostructure, translate into morphological changes on the macroscopic scale,which are easily detectable through modern imaging techniques. We will analyzeprogression of disease or mechanically-induced loss of brain function. The novelexperimental procedures on the borderline of mechanics and biology, togetherwith comprehensive theoretical and computational models, will form thecornerstone for predictive simulations that improve early diagnostics of pathologicalconditions, advance medical treatment strategies, and reduce the necessity ofanimal and human tissue experimentation. The established methodology will furtheropen new pathways in the biofabrication of artificial organs.
My research focuses on experimental and computational soft tissue biomechanics with special emphasis on human brain mechanics and the relationship between brain structure and function. In addition, we study the mechanics of hydrogels with the aim to identify substitutes for native human tissues with similar mechanical properties for applications in tissue engineering and biofabrication.
Research projects
Current projects
BRAIn mechaNIcs ACross Scales: Linking microstructure, mechanics and pathology
(Third Party Funds Single)
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Emmy-Noether-Programm (EIN-ENP)
URL: https://www.brainiacs.forschung.fau.de/
The current research project aims to develop microstructurallymotivated mechanical models for brain tissue that facilitate early diagnosticsof neurodevelopmental or neurodegenerative diseases and enable the developmentof novel treatment strategies. In a first step, we will experimentallycharacterize the behavior of brain tissue across scales by using versatiletesting techniques on the same sample. Through an accompanying microstructuralanalysis of both cellular and extra-cellular components, we will evaluate thecomplex interplay of brain structure, mechanics and function. We will alsoexperimentally investigate dynamic changes in tissue properties duringdevelopment and disease, due to changes in the mechanical environment of cells (mechanosensing),or external loading. Based on the simultaneous analysis of experimental andmicrostructural data, we will develop microstructurally motivated constitutive lawsfor the regionally varying mechanical behavior of brain tissue. In addition, wewill develop evolution laws that predict remodeling processes duringdevelopment, homeostasis, and disease. Through the implementation within afinite element framework, we will simulate the behavior of brain tissue underphysiological and pathological conditions. We will predict how known biologicalprocesses on the cellular scale, such as changes in the tissue’smicrostructure, translate into morphological changes on the macroscopic scale,which are easily detectable through modern imaging techniques. We will analyzeprogression of disease or mechanically-induced loss of brain function. The novelexperimental procedures on the borderline of mechanics and biology, togetherwith comprehensive theoretical and computational models, will form thecornerstone for predictive simulations that improve early diagnostics of pathologicalconditions, advance medical treatment strategies, and reduce the necessity ofanimal and human tissue experimentation. The established methodology will furtheropen new pathways in the biofabrication of artificial organs.
Recent publications
2022
2021
2020
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