Orthopaedic Tissues: biomechanics and mechanobiology

 
With every activity we undertake, there is motion in our joints while they are heavily loaded. In our bodies there are three kinds of joints: synovial, cartilaginous and fibrous. In the former two, a unique type of tissue, cartilage, helps us to overcome this adverse and mechanically challenging environment. In synovial joints, i.e. fluid filled joints, a thin layer of articular cartilage covers the bones and provides an almost frictionless bearing surface. In cartilaginous joints, a complex structure of fibrocartilage provides less mobility but is able to transmit high loads between the bone ends. This course addresses questions such as: how does healthy cartilage deal with these mechanically challenging conditions? What is the interplay between the biomechanics and biology in these tissues? What happens when cartilage damage occurs? What are the most common diseases affecting cartilage? What are current possibilities and challenges in treating joint degeneration?

Literature/study material used:
Will be distributed during the course.
 
Registration:
Please register at the TU/e, course code: 8TM10 at least 4 weeks before the start of the course. Osiris registration will be done retroactively when results from the TU/e are received.
  
Mandatory for students in own Master’s programme:
No
 
Optional for students in other GSLS Master’s programme:
No, for RMTM students only.
 
Prerequisite knowledge:
Basic biomechanics, Basic cell and molecular biology, Basic tissue anatomy and morphology.