Biomechanics and Mechanobiology

Biomechanics research uses concepts and techniques from mechanical engineering, physics, and applied mechanics to study the function of biological materials and systems. Mechanobiology research investigates how biological systems sense, generate, and respond to physical forces. Together, biomechanics and mechanobiology research provides an understanding of how mechanics drives healthy and pathological biological function. At Penn State, our research spans all length scales, encompassing molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and joint systems, and investigates basic biological function with applications to musculoskeletal dysfunction, cancer, neurodegeneration, and cardiovascular disease. Specific activities and research interests include orthopaedic biomechanics, cardiovascular fluid biomechanics, and cellular and molecular biomechanics.

Active Biomaterials Lab

Igor Aronson

Musculoskeletal Regenerative Engineering Lab

Justin Brown

Mechanobiology Lab

Peter Butler

Cellular Biomechanics Lab

Cheng Dong

Molecular Biomechanics Lab

William Hancock

Artificial Heart and Cardiovascular Fluid Dynamics Lab

Keefe Manning

Multiscale Biomechanics and Mechanobiology Lab

Spencer Szczesny

Movement of the Upper Limb and Shoulder Lab (MUSL)

Meghan Vidt