COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH IN MATHEMATICAL BIOLOGY (2005-2009)

Modeling the growth and adhesion of auricular chondrocytes under controlled flow conditions

DMS-0443826 (UH), DMS-0443549(THI), DMS-0443563(Baylor)
Supported jointly by the NSF and NIH

PROJECT SUMMARY

This is an interdisciplinary project in the area of Mathematical Biology. The main goal is to develop mathematical models and numerical methods to study diffusion-mediated and stress-induced growth and adhesion of ear cartilage cells called auricular chondrocytes in a novel environment: seeded on an artificial surface exposed to the pulsatile flow conditions. Chondrocytes are typically studied in the environments where they normally reside such as the joints in hips, intervertebral disks or the ear. It is not known how auricular chondrocytes grow, adhere or slough-off from artificial surfaces immersed a fluid. By developing mathematical models, numerical simulations and experimental procedures the goal is to design a cell-fluid-structure interaction algorithm that would couple chondrocytes growth with the novel environmental conditions. The mathematical models are based on the study of the coupling between the three-phase flow equations describing ear cartilage growth, a probabilistic model for cell adhesion dynamics, and a numerical model for particle-fluid and fluid-structure interaction. Experimental validation is planned using the flow loop assembled at the Texas Heart Institute. Results from this project will shed light on the feasibility of using genetically engineered auricular chondrocytes as long-lasting biocompatible coating for vascular devices such as stents used in the treatment of coronary artery disease.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS

Suncica Canic, University of Houston
Dr. Doreen Rosenstrauch, Texas Heart Institute and the
Dr. Craig Hartley, Baylor College of Medicine
Roland Glowinski, University of Houston
Tsorng-Whey Pan, University of Houston

COLLABORATORS AND CONSULTANTS

Josip Tambaca, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Andro Mikelic, University of Lyon 1, France
Dragan Mirkovic , MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
Giovanna Guidoboni, University of Houston

STUDENTS

Mate Kosor, University of Houston and University of Zagreb, Croatia
Taebeom Kim, University of Houston
Cynthia Chmielewski, University of Houston
Jian Hao, University of Houston
Tong Wang, University of Houston
Brad Stanley, undergraduate student at University of Houston
Katy Moncivais, Rice University
Tim Joseph, Rice University
Jaskaran Gill, Rice University

IMAGES & MOVIES

Mathematical Modeling of Endovascular Stents[web-page]
Dynamics of a stent inserted in aortic abdominal aneurysm (aneurysm not shown) [gif]
Texas Heart Institute Flow Loop Set-up [jpg]
Fluid-Structure Interaction Simulation Modeling Blood Flow in a Test Segment of the Flow Loop [wmv]
Dynamics of a stent-graft inserted in aortic abdominal aneurysm (aneurysm not shown) [avi]
Cell detahment under constant shear flow conditions. Cells that adhered to the bottom surface were exposed to the constant shear flow conditions. Cell detachment and cell sliding is observed. [avi]