Project Description

Bone structural integrity is essential for quality of life in both humans and animals. A key question is how and if the clinically diagnostic imaging tools of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and quantitative computed tomography (pQCT), together with minimally invasive in-vivo bone microindenters (Biodent and OsteoProbe) provide reliable measurement to determine the effects of pathological changes on bone material and on the likelihood of fracture. To answer this central question to advances in bone structural integrity it is necessary to determine what the macro/micro changes one can detect with MRI and pQCT mean for fracture mechanics and fracture probability. Research to answer this question is at the interface of mechanics and basic medical sciences, with an ultimate goal for translation to veterinary and human medicine. Racehorses are a naturally occurring animal model in which pathological changes in bone morphology and tissue properties predispose these animals to high fracture rates. This model will serve as a basis to provide understanding of what material-level changes lead to increased fracture likelihood and how these changes might be measured using our diagnostic modalities in elderly and soldier populations predisposed toward age-related and fatigue-related skeletal fracture.

Start Date

Summer 2020 or Fall 2020

Postdoc Qualifications 

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in biomechanics, including experience in experimental methods for measurements of biomaterial biomechanical properties, statistics, and clinical imaging approaches (CT, MRI). Experience with orthopaedic tissues is a plus. The candidate will be a self-motivated project leader, being able to think and conduct research independently in consultation with the rest of the research team (Drs. Siegmund, Main, and Lescun). Candidate must be able to write scientific manuscripts and to advise and collaborate with junior members of the lab.

Co-advisors 

Dr. Thomas Siegmund
School of Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering
585 Purdue Mall
West Lafayette, IN 47907
765 494 9766
https://engineering.purdue.edu/MYMECH

Dr. Russell P. Main
Department of Basic Medical Sciences
College of Veterinary Medicine
625 Harrison Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907
765 494-0898
https://www.purdue.edu/vet/directory/person.php?id=161

References 

Lescun, T.B., Hoffseth, K., Yang, H.T., Hansma, P.K., Kopeikin, H.S. and Chandrasekar, S., 2016. Effect of various testing conditions on results for a handheld reference point indentation instrument in horses. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 77(1), pp.39-49. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.77.1.39 

Mundy, L.N., T.B. Lescun, R.P. Main, T.H. Griffin. Insertional characteristics of three different transfixiation pin taps in equine cadaver third metacarpal bones. (In press, Am. J. Vet. Res.) 

Hammond, M.A., Wallace, J.M., Allen, M.R. and Siegmund, T., 2018. Incorporating tissue anisotropy and heterogeneity in finite element models of trabecular bone altered predicted local stress distributions. Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology, 17(2), pp.605-614. doi:10.1007/s10237-017-0981-8 

Hammond, M.A., Wallace, J.M., Allen, M.R. and Siegmund, T., 2019. Mechanics of linear microcracking in trabecular bone. Journal of Biomechanics, 83, pp.34-42. 
doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2018.11.018