Cell-specific, multiscale modeling of cells

Blood flow-related shear stress induces biochemical and physiological changes in vascular endothelial cells (ECs) through mechanisms involving the cell membrane, glycocalyx, cell junctions, cytoskeleton, and focal adhesions. To understand the molecular basis of mechanotransduction, we use new engineering analyses and experimental studies of single EC mechanotransduction. Central to our approach is the novel use of multimodal microscopy including DIC, TIRFM, confocal fluorescence imaging, time-resolved fluorescence, and photonic–force microscopy, all on a single platform. This infrastructure provides experimentally-determined inputs to advanced 3-D image processing algorithms, computational fluid dynamics solvers, and finite element (FE) solid mechanics models enabling time- and position- dependent correlations of cell stresses with signal transduction. Results will point to new molecular level interventions for vascular dysfunction and provide the basis for intelligent development of novel biomaterials and tissue-engineered blood vessels.

For more information, please see our recent publication in Annals of Biomedical Engineeering (Note, erratum can be found here.)