Assessing the Effects of Impact Injury on Cartilage Frictional Properties
Knee joint trauma associated with ligament and meniscus tears is invariably associated with damage to articular cartilage. The damage to cartilage results from mechanical disruption of the tissue, cell death, and joint inflammation. Collectively, all of these phenomena put the joint at high risk for subsequent osteoarthritis. Although many factors in change in the joint after injury, damage is thought to be associated with loss of critical lubricants from the cartilage surface and degradation of these lubricants in synovial fluid.
The goal of this project is to characterize the changes in cartilage frictional properties. This characterization includes measuring cartilage friction coefficients using a custom tribometer and measuring the shedding of wear particles from the cartilage surface. These studies will also assess the extent to which supplementation of cartilage with lubricant from synovial fluid can restore normal frictional behavior and prevent shedding of wear particles.
This project is part of an ongoing collaboration between the laboratory of Prof, Bonassar in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Dr. Lisa Fortier of the College of Veterinary Medicine, and scientists at Fidia Farmaceuti in Venice, Italy. Work will take place primarily in the Bonassar lab with consultations from Dr. Fortier and Fidia.
This project is well suited for 1-2 students with a solid foundation of coursework in mechanics, some laboratory experience with mechanical testing, and basic laboratory chemistry skills. Facility with programming in Matlab is preferred. Interested students should send a copy of a resume and unofficial transcript to Prof. Bonassar.
Contact: Prof. L.J. Bonassar
Email: lb244@cornell.edu
Phone:5-9381
Office:149 Weill Hall