Integrating Teaching and Research
MEM 304: Introduction to Biomechanical Systems
Alisa Morss Clyne, PhD
Associate Professor
asm67@drexel.edu
My research focuses on cellular
biomechanics.
But when most mechanical
engineering students think of
biomechanics, they think of this
Kemeny, Figueroa, Andrews, Barbee, and Clyne. Journal of Biomechanics 2011
www.dekaresearch.com
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I redesigned MEM 304 through an NSF-funded
biomechanical engineering education program.
The goal is to educate biomechanical engineers
who will translate fundamental research into new
technology.
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Problem-based learning with industry partners
Design solutions to biomedical problems
Integrate co-op into classroom
Industry-sponsored senior design
Incorporate writing and ethics
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MEM 304 focused on four biomechanical
engineering topics.
Apply mechanical engineering principles to
biological systems
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Biomechanics
Biomanufacturing
Bio-microfluidics
Bio-inspired robotics
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Each module started with a real-world
challenge or problem.
Biomechanics: cystic fibrosis patient lung function
assessment
Biomanufacturing: tissue engineered lung for
cystic fibrosis patient transplant
Bio-microfluidics: low-cost device to detect or
monitor HIV/AIDS
Bio-inspired robotics: prosthetic limb for running
or jumping
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Sarah M: cystic fibrosis patient
10 year old Sarah M. suffers from cystic fibrosis
and recently was given 1-3 months to live. Sarah
was too young for an adult lung transplant, but
no pediatric lungs were available. Her parents
petitioned Health and Human Services Secretary
Kathleen Sibelius to intervene, but she refused.
However, a federal court judge granted a
temporary order that allowed Sarah to join the
adult organ transplant list, and she subsequently
received a double lung transplant.
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Sarah M: cystic fibrosis patient
Kathleen Sibelius appoints you as the lead engineer to determine how to
measure lung function decline in patients with cystic fibrosis before and
after lung transplantation. Your test will be used to determine if lung
transplants are beneficial to cystic fibrosis patients.
Questions to ask:
1. What do you know about lung function in health and cystic fibrosis?
2. What do you need to know about lung tissue and fluid biomechanics ?
Learning issues:
1. Which fluid mechanics principles do you need to use to analyze lung
function?
2. Which solid mechanics principles do you need to use to analyze lung
function?
3. What lung anatomy and physiology concepts do you need to know?
4. What are the mechanisms by which cystic fibrosis damages the lungs?
5. How are cystic fibrosis patients monitored and treated?
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Students were introduced to clinical lung
testing by a pulmonologist.
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Students then tested lung biomechanics by
inflating pig lungs.
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Sarah M: lung transplant
10 year old Sarah M. received a set of adult lungs;
however she rejected her first lung transplant
(acute rejection. In fact, most transplanted lungs
are rejected. Despite the low donor lung supply,
Sarah received a second set of lungs and
contracted pneumonia. Patients who receive
lung transplants are placed on immunosuppressive therapy to prevent rejection, which
then increases their risk of developing lung
infections that damage the transplanted lungs.
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Sarah M: lung transplant
You decide to start your own company to develop tissue engineered lungs to increase the
lung supply for transplant as well as remove the (acute) rejection problem.
Questions to ask:
1. What do you need to know about lung components?
2. What are the important biomanufacturing processes in tissue engineering?
Learning issues
1. What scaffold materials are used in tissue engineering? What are their
advantages/disadvantages?
2. What manufacturing methods can be used to create the scaffold? What are their
advantages/disadvantages?
3. What cell types are present in a lung – in bronchi, alveoli, and blood vessels? What
sources are available for these cells?
4. What mechanical stimulation would the developing lung need? How could you
provide this stimulation?
5. What are the key properties of the lungs that need to be replicated in the tissue
engineered lung? How could you quantify these in the tissue engineered lung tests?
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Students analyzed current research in cell
migration.
Pelham-Wang 1997
Peyton-Putnam 2005
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Students tested cell migration on substrates
of varied stiffness in my lab.
Average migration distance
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Students then integrated this knowledge into
a biomanufacturing system design.
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Problem-based learning (based on faculty
research) has many benefits.
• Explore faculty research through hands-on activities
(extended into co-op)
• Motivated by real-world research challenges
• Improve problem-solving, research, teamwork skills.
• Develop critical thinking and communication skills
• Enhance information retention
• Lifelong learning model
• Connect co-op with classroom education
• Dynamic courses (rather than static lecture/listen)
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Integrating Teaching and Research
MEM 304: Introduction to Biomechanical Systems
Alisa Morss Clyne, PhD
Associate Professor
asm67@drexel.edu