Cel The key goals of this study are to better understand the properties that prevent articular cartilage from sustaining mechanical damage, and to determine which mechanical factors encourage cultured chondrocytes to produce structural macromolecules that enable cartilage to withstand mechanical loading.These key goals will be achieved by:(i) determining the storage and loss moduli for cartilage from lower limb joints, using cyclic loading test conditions;(ii) determining their relationship to structure (i.e. collagen orientation), using microscopy (light and electron) and x-ray diffraction techniques;(iii) culturing chondrocyte cells on modified alginate gel scaffolds, under intermittent loading. The boundary conditions applied to these cultures will be varied (i.e. loading rate, peak load) in order to determine how variations in loading alter the production of structural macromolecules that enable cartilage to withstand mechanical loading.Results from (i) and (ii) above enable predictions of trends as to how alterations in loading alter properties, and the relationship of these properties to the tissue structure. These loading conditions can then be isolated using cell cultures (iii) enabling predicted trends to be confirmed/refuted.Essentially, this study aims to determine which physical loading parameters aid the maintenance healthy cartilage. This is important because alterations to loading are thought to be involved in cartilage degeneration as occurs during osteoarthritis. Dziedzina nauki natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsmicroscopy Program(-y) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Temat(-y) FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IEF - Marie Curie Action: "Intra-European Fellowships for Career Development" Zaproszenie do składania wniosków FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IEF Zobacz inne projekty w ramach tego zaproszenia System finansowania MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Koordynator THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM Wkład UE € 171 740,80 Adres Edgbaston B15 2TT Birmingham Zjednoczone Królestwo Zobacz na mapie Region West Midlands (England) West Midlands Birmingham Rodzaj działalności Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Kontakt administracyjny May Chung (Ms.) Linki Kontakt z organizacją Opens in new window Strona internetowa Opens in new window Koszt całkowity Brak danych
