Biomechanics is the application of mechanics to biological and/or biomedical systems. Over the past two decades, we have learned that biomechanical considerations play a central role in normal physiological function and in the development and progression of many diseases including coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, glaucoma, and diabetes. Furthermore, mechanics are involved in the design and development of devices and therapies targeted at these diseases. Importantly, the role of mechanics spans the molecular, cellular, and tissue scales. This course will introduce fundamental aspects of biomechanics at both the macroscopic (whole tissue) and microscopic (cellular) scales and will discuss the role of biomechanics in normal health and disease.
The course will consist of lectures and student-led projects. The lectures will cover the following topics: 1) mechanics at the whole tissue level with a focus on fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, and mass transport; 2) mechanics at the cellular level with a focus on mechanical models of cellular behavior and cellular mechanotransduction; 3) the role of mechanics in the development and progression of diseases including coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, glaucoma, and diabetes; and 4) mechanical considerations in the design and development of various medical devices and therapeutic approaches. The student-led projects will be research projects of a limited scope that advance the current state of knowledge in a field related to the role of mechanics in health and disease. These projects may be theoretical, computational, or experimental. Students will present their results at the end of the term. Students will also have the opportunity to visit Paris-area laboratories conducting research in related areas.
Niveau requis : Basic knowledge of fluid and solid mechanics is sufficient for this course. There is no biology prerequisite.
Modalités d'évaluation : Students will be evaluated based on their performance on the projects and their end-of-term oral presentations.
Dernière mise à jour : lundi 26 mars 2012
