Project Title:

Mathematical modeling of bone reforming

John R. Hall Professor Peter T. Cummings

Brief Description of Project:

We are developing a cell-based model for bone reforming (the process by which bones repair themselves and regenerate) as part of a larger project to model the connection between bone processes and cancer.  We interact closely with researchers in the Bone Center at VUMC and in the biomedical engineering department at the University of Melbourne, and with an experimentalist in the VU Chemical Engineering department, Scott Guelcher.  The goal is to model the bio-physico-chemical processes as realistically as possible in order to predict and understand both the normal and abnormal biological functions in bone processes.

Nature of Supervision:

Work with a research group consisting of Peter Cummings and post-doctoral researcher Junhwan Jeon.

A Brief Research Plan (period is for 10 weeks):

The student will develop a computer code to implement the model being developed jointly by the Cummings group and the University of Melbourne group.  The student will perform literature searches to obtain model parameters, analyze experimental data, and compare model predictions with experiment, as well as conceptualize useful future experiments on the basis of model predictions.

Number of Open Slots:

1

Contact Information:

Peter Cummings
615-322-8129
peter.cummings@vanderbilt.edu