Numerical investigation of leukocyte binding in the human vasculature

这个项目是基于动脉粥样硬化的主题，特别是这种疾病是如何发展和进展的。由于这给卫生和货币系统带来了巨大压力，这个话题引起了全世界的极大兴趣。在这个项目中，我们的目标是建立一个框架，通过一个耦合粒子-随机结合模型来研究这种疾病的起源。特别是，我们的目标是模拟在现实的颈动脉分岔几何利用SPH粒子方法血载粒子的运输。这种颗粒运输模型，特别是白细胞，将与内皮细胞受体结合模型耦合，以便将运输和表面生物学联系起来。通过已发表的白细胞在向后台阶和轴对称膨胀流室中的结合实验模型，对受体结合模型进行了验证。这项研究将有助于了解白细胞受体结合的进展，并从机械生物学的角度潜在地确定不利的条件。

This project is based around the theme of atherosclerosis, in particular how this disease develops and progresses. This topic is of great interest to the world over due to the significant pressure this puts on health and monetary systems. In this project we aim to build a frame work for studying the initiation of this disease via a coupled particle – stochastic binding model. In particular we aim to model the transport of blood borne particles in realistic carotid bifurcation geometry utilising SPH particle methods. This transport model for particles, in particular leukocytes, will be coupled to an endothelial cell receptor binding model in order to link the transport and surface biology. Validation of the receptor binding model is proposed via published experimental models of leukocyte binding in both a backwards facing step and axisymmetric expansion flow chamber. This investigation will allow advances in the understanding of leukocyte-receptor binding and potentially identify conditions which are adverse from a mechanobiological perspective.