We use dynamics and imaging to understand behavior of cells and tissues.

Brain biomechanics and mechanics of soft tissues and biomaterials

Objectives: To better understand traumatic brain injury (TBI), and improve the prevention, diagnosis and therapy for TBI. To better understand brain development, and improve diagnosis and management of developmental disorders. 

  • Tagged MR imaging of the brain
  • Magnetic resonance elastography of the brain
  • Waves in anisotropic tissues and fibrin gels
  • MRI of developing brain
  • Modeling and simulation of brain mechanics

Oscillations and waves in cilia and flagella

Objectives: To answer the fundamental question: how do cilia and flagella beat? The answer will enable us to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cilia-related disorders or develop new micro-scale biomimetic devices.

  • Video microscopy and waveform analysis
  • Nano-scale imaging of the flagellar cytoskeleton
  • Mathematical modeling of cilia and flagella
  • Stability analysis and simulation of flagella/cilia models

RESEARCH FUNDING

U01 NS112120
MRI Measurement of the Mechanical Vulnerability of the Brain

R01EB027577
High-Resolution, Anisotropic MR Elastography of the Brain

R01 NS111948
Connecting the mechanobiology of tissue and cells in cerebral cortical folding

CMMI-1727412
Waves in anisotropic materials

CMMI-1633971
Flagella oscillations