Projects
Establishing the contribution of the muscle-tendon interaction to the metabolic cost of running using a blended experimental and computational approach KU Leuven
Although humans have been running bipedally for thousands of years, there is still substantial variability in the way we run, i.e. our preferred running pattern. Moreover, also the metabolic energy we consume to run at a certain, submaximal velocity varies between runners. Despite the large body of running related research, our understanding on the underlying mechanisms explaining the variability in preferred running pattern and/or the ...
A blended experimental and computational approach to assess control of standing balance KU Leuven
With age, our ability to complete seemingly simple activities of daily living declines. Older adults move slower, less accurate and more often lose their balance resulting in frequent falls, which might lead to significant injuries requiring medical attention and leading to loss of independence. Age is associated with declines in muscle strength, sensory acuity, motor acuity and cognitive ability, but our understanding of the relative ...
Development of an innovative multiscale computational model to quantitatively unravel the role of cell-matrix mechanics in angiogenesis KU Leuven
The ability of cells to migrate through a tissue in the human body is vital for many processes such as tissue development, growth and regeneration. At the same time, abnormal cell migration is observed in many diseases such as cancer. In order to discover the origin of these abnormalities and develop new treatment strategies, an improved understanding of the cell migration process and its regulation is required. Mechanics of the cell and the ...
T-EX: Technology-based exercise protocols for knee osteoarthritis: A computational modeling framework combined with wearable technology, to support patient-specific exercise protocols in knee OA patients. KU Leuven
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic joint disease, for which no cure exists to reverse or stop progression. Joint loading plays an important role in cartilage homeostasis and therefore atypical joint loading is known to accelerate OA progression. Patientspecific exercise protocols, aiming to restore typical joint loading during daily life activities, therefore, holds the potential to slow down OA progression. We will leverage the ...
Understanding the role of internal movement errors in falling using a blended experimental and computational approach KU Leuven
You are craving a cup of coffee and start walking towards the coffee machine. Your movement is driven by a high-level goal (coffee), but every step towards it is filled with danger as lifting your foot to step makes you less stable. To avoid falling, your nervous system accounts for the upcoming instability by predicting the outcome of your movements and closely monitors the execution of the planned movement. One third of older adults fall ...
How do stem cells interact with their extracellular matrix mechanically and what are its mechanobiological implications for skeletal tissue engineering? A computational modelling approach informed by in-vitro experiments. KU Leuven
TECH-4-kOA -TECHNOLOGY-based GAIT RETRAINING FOR KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS: Computational modeling- and artificialintelligence-informed, real-life feedback on joint loading. KU Leuven
Osteoarthritis is the most common chronic joint disease, for which no proven prevention or cure exists that reverses or slows down the disease process. Aberrant joint loading accelerates OA progression. Gait-retraining, aiming to restore normal joint loading, therefore, has the potential to slow down OA progression. Previous gait retraining was based on indirect measures of knee joint loading, measured in a lab-based environment. Furthermore, ...
A blended experimental and computational approach to study the relation between neuro-musculoskeletal impairments and movement. KU Leuven
Aging as well as neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy and stroke lead to multi-level changes in the neuro-musculoskeletal system. Both motor control (muscle coordination) as musculoskeletal structures and functions (e.g. muscle weakness, joint contractures) are altered. Given the many simultaneous changes, it has been hard to identify cause-effect relationships between alterations in the neuro-musculoskeletal system and alterations ...
Computational framework for biologically-informed optimization of tissue engineering constructs. KU Leuven
Binnen dit project wordt een computationeel kader tot stand gebracht door het verfijnen van een bioregulatorisch model van botregeneratie met een nauwkeurige beschrijving van de interactie tussen de omgeving van de gastheer en het geïmplanteerde weefselengineering construct. Bovendien wordt een grondige kalibrering en validatie uitgevoerd van in vivo data. Tenslotte wordt dit multischaal computationeel kader gebruikt om biologische ...