Biomechanical testing suite for micro-scale characterization of tissues and novel biomaterials

该申请寻求资金，以在西安大略大学建立一个新的生物力学测试套件，使研究人员能够量化极小和软组织和生物材料的机械性能。该提案中要求的设备是独一无二的技术，将在旨在开发新方法以了解结缔组织生物学的实验中实现前所未有的分辨率。由我们杰出的跨学科研究人员团队领导的NSERC资助的研究处于肌肉骨骼研究的最前沿。该基础设施将使研究计划中的组织和材料的功能表征成为可能，包括：椎间盘发育和机械生物学研究;开发基于细胞的软结缔组织再生策略;开发用于细胞和药物递送的新型材料;以及开发使用智能材料和增材制造的新型生物医学设备。申请人之间的合作和这些技术的组合将允许新的发现，并创造一个良好的培训环境，以支持协作的跨学科肌肉骨骼研究。

This application seeks funding to establish a novel Biomechanical Testing Suite at the University of Western Ontario that will allow researchers to quantify the mechanical properties of extremely small and soft tissues and biomaterials. The equipment requested in this proposal is one-of-its-kind technology that will allow for unprecedented resolution in experiments aimed at developing novel approaches to understand connective tissue biology. NSERC-funded research lead by our outstanding team of transdisciplinary researchers is at the forefront of musculoskeletal research. This infrastructure will enable functional characterization of tissues and materials in research programs that include: studies of intervertebral disc development and mechanobiology; the development of cell-based strategies for soft connective tissue regeneration; the development of novel materials for cell and drug delivery; and the development novel biomedical devices using smart materials and additive manufacturing. The collaboration between applicants and combination of these technologies will allow for novel discoveries and create an excellent training environment to support collaborative transdisciplinary musculoskeletal research.