Current Research
Our research focuses on the function, degeneration, and repair of musculoskeletal soft tissues, with an emphasis on articular cartilage and meniscal fibrocartilage. We investigate how biophysical and biochemical cues interact across molecular, cellular, and tissue scales to regulate cell behavior, tissue mechanics, and degeneration in diseases such as osteoarthritis. Our work integrates advanced imaging, including MRI and weight-bearing and contrast-enhanced computed tomography, with mechanical testing to quantify cartilage and meniscus structure, solute transport, and in vivo biomechanics under physiologically relevant loading. We develop tissue repair strategies such as photochemical protein bonding to improve cartilage implant integration and joint function, and we establish structure–function relationships in the meniscus to identify early markers of degeneration and inform regenerative therapies. Complementing these efforts, we design versatile mechanical bioreactors and tissue-engineered three-dimensional model systems to study physical regulation of primary and progenitor cells in both terrestrial and microgravity environments. Our expertise in soft tissue biomechanics and imaging validation extends across organ systems and emerging applications, including quantitative links between material properties and sensory perception in plant-based meat analogs, highlighting the broad impact of biomechanical principles on health, disease, and sustainability.
Solute Diffusion via CT
Quantifying solute transport in cartilage is essential for assessing tissue health and nutrient delivery. We leverage contrast-enhanced computed tomography to measure the diffusion of contrast agents into articular cartilage in both in vivo and ex vivo samples. Using the Siemens Artis Zeego CT system, our goal is to establish diffusion-based biomarkers for early-stage cartilage degeneration, providing a noninvasive diagnostic tool for osteoarthritis and related conditions.
Mechanics and Perception of Plant-Based Meat
Replicating the complex texture of animal meat remains a central challenge in the design of plant-based alternatives. Our work integrates mechanical characterization and sensory analysis to quantify how formulation and structure govern perceived texture. By mapping viscoelastic properties, such as stiffness, storage modulus, and loss modulus, to human sensory feedback, we establish a mechanical and sensory framework for evaluating and optimizing plant-based meats. These insights advance the scientific foundation for creating sustainable meat analogs that closely replicate the eating experience of traditional meat.
Soft Tissue Biomechanics and Validation
Understanding the mechanical behavior of soft tissues is critical for advancing quantitative imaging and improving computational biomechanical models. Our work spans the heart, vasculature, and airways, using both synthetic phantoms and biological samples to measure, model, and validate tissue stiffness and viscoelasticity. By combining MRI, flow experiments, and constitutive modeling, we clarify how structure, material properties, and mechanical loading interact to shape organ function. This cross-system approach strengthens the link between imaging-derived metrics and true tissue mechanics.
Cartilage Implant Bonding
Articular cartilage injuries remain a significant clinical challenge due to the tissue’s limited healing capacity. Our research aims to overcome this limitation by applying photochemical protein bonding to rapidly and stably integrate cartilage implants with surrounding native tissue. By leveraging light-activated crosslinking mechanisms, we seek to enhance implant retention, improve joint function, and accelerate recovery, paving the way for next-generation cartilage repair therapies.
Meniscus Structural Imaging
The structural integrity of the knee meniscus is essential for load distribution and joint stability. Degradation of the radial tie fibers, connective structures that link circumferential collagen bundles, may initiate or accelerate meniscal degeneration. We are developing advanced MRI-based imaging techniques to visualize these radial tie sheaths in situ and to quantify their deformation under physiological loading. This effort aims to improve early diagnosis of meniscal damage and monitoring of disease progression.
Weight-Bearing CT Imaging
Accurately assessing cartilage biomechanics under physiological loading conditions is key to understanding joint degeneration. We use a cone beam computed tomography system to quantify in vivo cartilage strains during natural, weight-bearing postures. This fast and flexible imaging platform enables high-resolution, real-time measurement of joint behavior, providing critical insights into early cartilage breakdown and functional impairment.
Meniscus Tissue Mechanics
The biomechanical performance of the knee meniscus is governed by its heterogeneous composition and microarchitecture. Our work focuses on linking compositional features, such as collagen orientation and proteoglycan content, to macroscopic mechanical behavior across healthy and diseased states. By establishing these structure-function relationships, we aim to identify early mechanical markers of degeneration and inform the design of regenerative or replacement therapies.
Versatile Mechanical Bioreactor
Long-duration spaceflight poses unique risks to musculoskeletal health, particularly in regenerative medicine applications. We are developing a compact, multifunctional mechanical bioreactor to create physiologically relevant mechanical environments for stem cell culture in microgravity. By simulating tissue-specific mechanical loading conditions, this platform supports optimal cell proliferation, differentiation, and matrix formation, enabling long-term tissue growth for space and terrestrial medicine.