Multiscale/multimodal imaging of human cartilage endplate
Aaron Fields, Professor
UC San Francisco
Closed. This professor is continuing with Spring 2024 apprentices on this project; no new apprentices needed for Fall 2024.
The Orthopaedic Biomechanics and Biotransport Laboratory at UCSF conducts research related to structure-function relationships in musculoskeletal tissues, with a particular focus on the mechanisms of nutrient transport in bone and cartilage and harnessing nutrient transport for tissue repair and regeneration. The lab combines engineering and biology approaches for (1) understanding the effects of aging and disease on structure-transport relationships and (2) developing translatable diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. An overall theme of this work is the use of advanced experimental and computational tools to measure how tissue constituents at the nano- and microscales impact whole-organ behavior. We maintain active collaborations with orthopaedic surgeons, radiologists and industry partners.
Low back pain is the leading cause of disability and is closely linked to disc degeneration. Intradiscal biologic therapy is a promising strategy for managing disc degeneration. However, an unresolved issue is whether a degenerated disc has adequate nutrient supply to support the higher metabolic demands required by these therapies. The overall premise of this project is that low cartilage endplate (CEP) permeability limits disc nutrient supply and cell function, but we still do not know the details of the CEP tissue structure and its role on nutrient transport. Thus, our current focus is to identify the best way to image the CEP tissue using both non-invasive and invasive imaging techniques.
This is a great opportunity for engineering/biology students to learn and apply cutting-edge research tools at the intersection of engineering, biology and medicine.
Role: Specific tasks for the URAP student will include evaluating and comparing multiscale/multimodal imaging and processing tools, developing machine learning-based 3D image segmentation & reconstruction algorithms and codes, and statistical analysis on image-based quantification data. The student will also have an opportunity to learn how a cadaveric tissue harvested and characterized in the lab. Scanning electron micrographs, transmission electron micrographs, and micro-computed tomograms will be used for the multiscale imaging and different imaging modalities from light, electron, and X-ray sources will be compared and selected for the multimodal imaging specifically for the CEP tissue.
Qualifications: Qualifications: The student must be highly motivated and detail-oriented. Background in science/engineering, good problem-solving skills, and excellent communication skills are essential. Experience with at least one of the programming languages (e.g. C/C++, Matlab, Python, R, etc.) is required. Proffered: Background in engineering or biology and prior experience with machine learning will be a plus. This project is ideal for second- or third-year students. A summer internship in the lab and/or continuation the following year is possible. The lab is located at the UCSF Parnassus campus. The campus is BART/Muni accessible. Work schedule can be tailored to accommodate the student’s course schedule and the commute from Berkeley.
Hours: 9-11 hrs
Off-Campus Research Site: UCSF Parnassus Campus 513 Parnassus Avenue San Francisco, CA 94143
Related website: http://fieldslab.ucsf.edu
Biological & Health Sciences