Labs
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Biomaterials Lab
Our work focuses on designing biomaterial therapies for neural tissue injuries. There is currently no treatment for spinal cord injuries and peripheral nerve therapies do not promote full functional recovery. We know that cells respond their microenvironment. Material properties, including topography, chemical, mechanics and adhesion cues can direct cell growth and stem cell differentiation. In our lab, we aim to understand how material properties affect cellular responses. We design biomaterials that promote and direct neurons across the injury site.
Contact: Harini Sundararaghavan, Ph.D.
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Biomedical Optics and Instrumentation Lab
We are working at the intersection of optical technology innovation and biomedical research. Based on an optical phenomenon called Brillouin scattering, we design and build optical setup and instrument to quantify the mechanical properties (i.e., modulus and viscosity) of the matter with diffraction-limited resolution. Together with other imaging modalities, we study biomechanics of cell, tissue, and biomaterials. Ultimately, we aim to address crucial questions in biophysics and mechanobiology, and pursue clinical application in combating birth defects and cancer diseases.
Contact: Jitao Zhang, Ph.D.
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Injury Biomechanics Research and Testing Facilities
The injury biomechanics labs at Wayne State have been used for automotive component testing, high-rate loading for military vehicles and ATD (anthropometric test devices) development, motion analysis, wheelchair tie-down development, orthopaedic fracture fixation testing, and much more. Our faculty have expertise in a broad range of topics, and we partner with industry and medical experts to develop and test innovative technologies.
The labs utilize data acquisition systems capable of up to 1 million samples/sec per channel and high-speed cameras capable of more than 550,000 fps standard resolution or 12,000 fps HD. The lab uses a Vicon motion tracking system for kinematic analysis.
A family of Hybrid III dummies including six-month CRABI, 5th percentile female, 50th percentile male, and 95th percentile male is available for testing and rental. The lab can calibrate ATDs (anthropometric test devices) using our in-house calibration fixtures including a thoracic pendulum, a neck calibration pendulum, a head calibration stand, and knee calibration pendulum.
Contacts:
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Rehab Robotics and Biomechanics (R2B) Lab
Our goal is to develop rehabilitation robots and devices for restoring neuromuscular function in individuals with neurological and orthopedic disorders. We achieve this using a multifaceted approach, consisting of musculoskeletal modeling, novel mechanism design, control systems, and human subjects testing, where we evaluate the biomechanical and neurophysiological effects of training with these devices.
Contact: E. Peter Washabaugh, Ph.D.
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Vascular Regeneration and Mechanics Lab
We work to find solutions for vascular disease. We created a platform technology to engineer blood vessels that we aim to develop into grafts for surgery and as a new foundation for disease models. Options for vascular grafts remain extremely limited, leaving patients in need. We are developing our engineered vessels into viable, patient-specific grafts using adult stem cells harvested from a patient's own fat tissue.
Contact: Mai Lam, Ph.D.