Biomechanics
Biomechanics research in the department focuses upon mechanics at the cellular, tissue, and joint level with applications in orthopaedics and musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems.
Injury and orthopaedic biomechanics investigations focus on the clinically relevant biomechanical research problems of injury. Experimental and computational methods are used to develop and validate models of soft and hard tissue behavior.
Tissue mechanics research focuses on material characterization of native and healing biological tissues as well as tissue engineered biomaterial constructs. Material testing methods and constitutive models are used to describe the mechanical behaviors of these tissues in compression, tension and shear.
Cell biomechanics research focuses upon chondrocytes, epithelium, mucosal extracellular matrix, and endothelium. This work is accomplished using micropipet aspiration, atomic force microscopy, flow chamber assays, rheometry, and computational methods. Experimental and computational hemodynamic simulations support research carried out under the Duke Center for Biomolecular and Tissue Engineering.
Collaborations exist with faculty in the divisions of Cardiology, Hematology, Orthopaedic Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ophthalmology, and Rheumatology at the Medical Center and with faculty in the departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Mechanical Engineering in the School of Engineering.
Biomechanics Faculty
