Research

The scientific goal of the NTM lab is to investigate the effect of mechanical loading on tissue physiology, pathology, and restoration. The clinical goal of the NTM lab is to develop medical solutions that are not only effective and practical but are economical.  This focus on cost-effective solutions is aimed at improving the quality and affordability of healthcare.

Our research incorporates experimental and computational biomechanics, imaging, biochemistry, and mechanobiology.  The scientific field of mechanobiology originated with the observation that living systems adapt to their physical environment by altering their structural framework. This fundamental theory was first proposed by Wilhelm Roux in the 1880s to describe the functional adaption of bone to mechanical loading. In the past two decades, computational advancements have enabled validation of many mechanobiological hypotheses and have helped determine the specific loading conditions and biological mechanisms that activate microstructural transformations. These findings have been instrumental to the emergence of novel bone fracture treatments. However, the role of mechanical signals in regulating soft-tissue repair and remodeling is poorly understood. This lack of knowledge has limited the availability of effective therapeutic options for pathologies that frequently develop in fibrous load-bearing tissues (e.g. ligament, tendon, meniscus). Moreover, the failure mechanisms responsible for many musculoskeletal disorders remain unknown, thus limiting our capacity to predict and prevent injury.

The NTM lab is dedicated to advancing the field of mechanobiology for soft fibrous tissue, and supporting the development of effective treatment options for musculoskeletal disorders. A secondary focus of the lab is to translate technology developed in the laboratory for public use.