Title:
Mechanobiology, or how living cells respond to forces
Date:
Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 3:30pm
Location:
E2-210 EITC, Fort Garry Campus, University of Manitoba
Speaker:
Mr. Tyler Grant
Rhodes Scholar & Ph. D. candidate
University of Oxford
Abstract:
When astronauts escape gravity their bones become weaker, when body-builders lift weights their muscles grow, and when tennis players train their bones become stronger in their hitting arm. These are just three examples of mechanobiology, or how living cells respond to forces. Cell biologists have paid little attention to engineering in the past, but recent findings suggest that it is time to rethink the role of mechanical forces in biology. Forces are thought to contribute to numerous processes from cancer progression to stem cell differentiation and are likely to be instrumental to treating and preventing a number of debilitating diseases. This presentation will explore the landscape of mechanobiology with emphasis on research being conducted at the University of Oxford.
Bio:
Tyler Grant is a PhD candidate at the University of Oxford. He studies biomedical engineering and is performing research at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre. Tyler is researching how to produce tissue engineering scaffolds that mimic the natural architecture of healthy tissue. More specifically, he is designing constructs that can be used to promote tissue regeneration in diseased tendon. Tyler studied engineering at the University of Manitoba where he received a Rhodes Scholarship in 2010. Throughout his undergraduate degree, Tyler received three NSERC research awards to develop finite element models to better understand hip resurfacing arthroplasty. Tyler plans to continue working in the area of orthopedics by designing systems to promote healing in musculoskeletal tissues.
Cost:
Free, All are welcome.
Contact:
For questions or more information contact Sherif S. Sherif at 474-6893.
