Discrete and continuum models of tissue mechanics

Overview

Biological tissues such as epithelia are composed of many adjacent cells that interact with each other mechanically, and that may proliferate, die, and move around. Our group is developing discrete and continuum mathematical frameworks to model these types of tissues and investigate the strong interplay between tissue geometry, tissue mechanics, and cell biology in many experimental situations, including tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, bone formation, tumour growth, and wound healing. Several important generalisations of these existing models and their link to experimental data remain unexplored.

In this project, you will generalise discrete and/or continuum mathematical models of cells to include the influence of directed cell motion and the effect of forces arising from surface tension. These model features will help us understand negative pressure influences during wound healing and how fast tissues grow within tissue engineering scaffolds depending on scaffold geometry. These models will be used to analyse experimental data, including from tissue engineering experiments conducted at QUT.

Research engagement

You will be exposed to leading-edge research from the literature, and have the opportunity to develop novel mathematical models informed by experimental data, and to develop bespoke computer code to numerically simulate the models.

Research activities

You will work closely and meet regularly with the supervisory team to carry out all aspects of the project, including engaging with key literature, developing new mathematical models, performing mathematical analyses and numerical simulations, and comparing with experimental observations.

Research skills

Research skills you will acquire include reading and understanding specialised literature on mathematical modelling of biological systems, applying established and novel mathematical modelling frameworks and critically analysing results obtained. You will also develop skills in presenting your results to a general and specialist audience.

Outcomes

The outcomes of this projects are new understandings of interplays between geometry and mechanics during tissue growth in tissue engineering constructs and in other biological systems including bone formation, tumour growth, and would healing.

Skills and experience

This project can be tailored to suit research students at VRES, Honours, Masters, and PhD level. Some proficiency in differential equations and computer modelling is expected. No prior knowledge of biology is required.

Start date

2 November, 2026

End date

19 February, 2027

Location

Gardens Point, QUT

Additional information

The supervisory team may take some leave over the summer breaks. Suitable dates will be arranged within this period.

Keywords

• Mathematical modelling
• Tissue growth
• Mechanobiology
• Biomechanics
• Curvature
• Biophysics

Contact

Pascal Buenzli

x81558

pascal.buenzli@qut.edu.au