Mechanobiological adaptation in the craniofacial complex

工程师经常向大自然寻求设计灵感。我的研究项目是研究骨骼周围软组织的新特性，这些特性有助于感知机械变形，阻尼生理负荷，以及变形和方向相关的渗透性。在这里，我的研究将集中在i)骨膜-骨骼周围的纤维鞘-和ii)牙槽关节-软牙周韧带（PDL）连接牙齿和颌骨的地方。这项研究计划的长期目标是提高我们对矿化组织力学生物学的基础知识，并激发具有新特性的工程材料的设计。作为实现这些长期目标的第一步，我的研究计划将解决以下三个目标：目标1：研究骨膜的结构和力学行为及其在骨适应和渗透性特性中的作用。我的假设是，骨膜在活性骨形成表面与非活性骨形成表面具有不同的结构（组织、形态）和机械行为。长期目标：为工程材料开发柔软、透明的表面层，模仿骨膜的传感能力和渗透性。目的2：研究不同功能牙齿牙槽关节的多尺度结构和力学行为。我的假设是牙槽关节的多尺度结构（形态学、微结构和材料特性）根据不同的功能模式而变化。长期目标：以牙槽关节为灵感，开发多尺度设计的软工程关节。目标3：制定成像方案和分析程序，以量化颅面肌肉骨骼系统的复杂形态和微结构。我的长期假设是，功能加载模式影响骨形态和微结构。长期目标：开发和验证颅面肌肉骨骼系统的计算模型。

Engineers often turn to nature for design inspiration. My research program investigates novel properties in the soft tissues surrounding bones that contribute to sensing mechanical deformation, damping physiological loads, as well as deformation- and direction-dependent permeability. Here, my investigations will focus on i) the periosteum - a fibrous sheath surrounding bones - and ii) the dentoalveolar joint - where the soft periodontal ligament (PDL) connects the tooth to the jaw bone. The long-term goals of this research program are to improve our fundamental knowledge surrounding the mechanobiology of mineralized tissues and to inspire the design of engineering materials with novel properties. As a first step towards these long-term goals, my research program will address the following three aims: Objective 1: Investigate the structure and mechanical behavior of the periosteum in relation to its role in bone adaptation and permeability characteristics. My hypothesis is that the periosteum will have a different structure (organization, morphology) and mechanical behavior at surfaces of active bone formation vs surfaces of inactive bone formation. Longer-term goal: Develop soft, transparent surface layers for engineering materials mimicking the sensing ability and permeability of the periosteum. Objective 2: Examine the multi-scale structure and mechanical behavior of the dentoalveolar joint in teeth with different functions. My hypothesis is that the multi-scale structure (morphology, microarchitecture, and material properties) of the dentoalveolar joint varies based on different functional patterns. Longer-term goal: Develop soft engineering joints with multi-scale design inspired by the dentoalveolar joint. Objective 3: Develop imaging protocols and analysis routines to quantify the complex morphology and microarchitecture of the craniofacial musculoskeletal system. My long-term hypothesis here is that functional loading patterns impact bone morphology and microarchitecture. Longer-term goal: Develop and validate computational models of the craniofacial musculoskeletal system.