Nanoscale Structure-Mechanics Principles of Murine Joint Tissues

Friday, April 14, 2017

1:00 PM-3:00 PM

BIOMED PhD Thesis Defense

Title:
Nanoscale Structure-Mechanics Principles of Murine Joint Tissues

Speaker:
Basak Doyran Sitik, PhD Candidate, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems

Advisor:
Lin Han, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems

Abstract:
Nanoscale structure and mechanical properties are responsible for tissue functions at the molecular level. Alterations of these properties cause whole joint disease, such as osteoarthritis (OA). OA affects more than 27 million Americans by articular cartilage degradation and load-bearing function loss. To understand the OA pathogenesis and progression, cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) composition and mechanics of joint tissues in healthy and disease states need to be studied.

In this dissertation, nanoscale structure-mechanics principles of murine models are used to investigate the musculoskeletal development and musculoskeletal disease, and to define the property of a unique musculoskeletal tissue. Nanomechanical methods, specifically atomic force microscopy (AFM) based indentation, are used in this dissertation to enable assessment of small murine joint tissues in native and OA conditions.

Findings from this study contribute to joint tissue development, degradation and regeneration in the aspect of OA, and also provide a new platform to study OA pathogenesis and tissue repair.