[Research Funding]
The heart of the Institute’s research is to determine how mechanical forces play a role in the normal physiology and pathology of blood vessels, bone, and muscle. The Institute uses an interdisciplinary approach that involves fluid and solid mechanics and molecular and cell biology to answer this fundamental question. The work on mechanochemical signal transduction in endothelial and bone cells has provided insight of direct clinical relevance. Most of our current research efforts are supported by multi-year grants awarded through the National Institutes of Health [NIH].

Our primary research focuses on mechanochemical signal transduction in endothelial cells and bone cells, the role of hydrodynamic forces induced by compression in stimulating bone formation, and anti-inflammatory coatings for improved biocompatibility in biomaterials.
A significant portion of our current research efforts are supported by multi-year grants awarded through the National Institutes of Health [NIH].  Our research projects are funded through the NIH and represent grant awards totaling more than $4.7 million annually over the next several years.  A few of the research projects we are currently working on are listed below.

:: Anti-Inflammatory Coatings for Biomaterials

NIH     RO1EB000823
This Bioengineering Research Partnership proposes to apply our ceramic antioxidant technology, which mitigates the inflammatory and foreign body response of biomaterials, to four industrially-relevant applications:  biosensor membranes, biodegradable polymers, wound dressings, and dental implants.

:: Shear Stress Activation of Endothelial Membrane Function

NIH     RO1 HL040696    
The goal is to understand the molecular mechanisms of mechanochemical transduction.                 

:: Interstitial Fluid Flow in Bone Remodeling

NIH     R56 AR046797    
The objective is to develop and characterize in vivo models of altered interstitial fluid flow (IFF) in bone, and to determine the role of IFF in bone remodeling.

:: Mechanosensitivity of Cell Membranes: Role of Lipid-Protein Interactions

NIH     R01 HL086943

The goal is to show how changes in physical properties of the lipid bilayer membrane under mechanical stress can regulate activity of membrane proteins coupled to intracellular signaling pathways.

:: Mechanosensory properties in the partially obstructed guinea pig small intestine

NIH     R01 DK072616

:: Nitric Oxide protects against microcirculatory complications of malaria

NIH     R01 HL087290

:: Raman Flow Cytometry for Diagnostics and Drug Discovery

NIH     R01 EB003824

:: Plasma hyperviscosity for cardiovascular collapse

NIH     R01 HL076182

:: The Role of Dipole Potential In Mechanosensing

NSF     MCB 0721396     

The hypothesis is that the dipole potential at the lipid-water interface of a lipid bilayer membrane can change in response to external forces generated by mechanical stress and fluid movement leading to changes in activities of membrane proteins such as G protein coupled receptors.