Current Research

Assessing the effects of histotripsy on osteosarcoma tumor-affected bone using image-based analysis (uCT, MRI) and finite element modeling

Tibiae from mice injected orthotopically with OS tumor cells will be used to determine the effects of a controlled histotripsy dose on the whole-bone mechanics of OS tumor-affected bone and contralateral healthy bone via mechanical testing. μCT and PETRA, a sequence similar to UTE, MRI images will be used for qualitative bone morphometry assessment and to inform subsequent FE model development. The model will be validated using DIC and mechanical testing data (Work of Preeya Achari). 

Using Random Forest (RF) and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) to Analyze Crash Factors Associated with Severe Distal Tibia Fracture Types

• RF is a machine learning algorithm that can uncover underlying data structures allowing us to analyze how crash factors from large crash data are correlated with distal tibia fracture types with poor clinical outcomes (Work of Garrett Bangert). Reference for RF

The SHAP analysis is similar to a  "fingerprint" for each distal tibia fracture type. The SHAP value indicates the magnitude and direction of influence each CIREN feature has on the likelihood the RF predicts a particular fracture type given the case details from CIREN.

Reference for SHAP 

Analyzing the Morphology of Successful Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Surgical Site Fusions using X-Ray Imaging

Spinal fusions are performed to treat degenerative disks and stabilize the spine. Current methods to determine the success of fusion require various radiology imaging techniques, are subjective largely depending on reviewer expertise, and can require invasive surgery. (Work of Alejandro Venable-Croft)

Exploring Breast Cancer Cell Recruitment and Survival in the Bone Niche using 3D-Printed Tissue-Engineered Bone Models

With very high failure rates of anti-cancer drugs and deficiency to mimic physiological bone environment, it is clear that current gold standard (2D culture and animal models) lack in information to accurately predict effects of drugs and described the interactions in a multicell environment. To understand the underlying parameters that influence breast-to-bone metastasis, a 3D co-culture tissue model must be developed to reproduce a metastatic environment that assesses the role of extracellular vesicles has on breast cancer development in terms of extravasation of different bone microenvironments, tumor growth, and drug resistance. (Work of Edward Shangin)

Collaboration with the Whittington Lab, fabricated scaffolds are printed and seeded with isolated human osteoblasts, cultured to long-term (21 days), and fixed within formalin to conduct mechanical analysis and microcopy. Following that, collaboration with the Glyco-Diversity Lab, co-cultured scaffolds with osteoblasts and extracellular vesicles are used to develop a breast-to-bone metastasis model and used to characterize mechanical properties of our model.

Evaluating Implant Constructs in Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery

• To repair bunions, physicians utilize minimally invasive bunion surgery with a variety of implant constructs on a case-by-case basis. Different constructs include single screw and dual screw fixations. (Work of Evan Carper)
• Alongside Carilion Clinic, conducting a biomechanical study evaluating differences in construct properties will allow physicians to implement the most durable fixation construct when performing MIBS using evidence-based biomechanical outcomes.

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