Overview
Topic status: We're looking for students to study this topic.
One of the key components of the later stages of bone fracture repair involves the progressive conversion of cartilagenous or fibro-cartilagenous tissue into hard bone. The usual explanation for this process implicates various cellular responses to changes in the mechanical aspects of the environment the cells experience. Histology of the transition zone between existing hard bone and cartilagenous tissue suggests the presence of an ossification (bone forming) front which has a number of regular features not easily explained by the mechanically controlled model. In this project mathematical models, independent of the mechanical environment, will be developed to predict the formation of the observed regular patterns. The system of partial differential equations used to establish the pattern of cell differentiation seen in the transition zone will also lead to a novel characterisation of the ossification front that brings the final conversion to hard bone of cartilage-like material in the fracture callus.
- Study level
- PhD
- Supervisors
- QUT
- Organisational unit
Science and Engineering Faculty
- Research area
- Contact
- Please contact the supervisor.
Professor Graeme Pettet
