BIOMATERIALS LAB
Director
Betty Sindelar
Room
Grover Center W294
Message from the director
The Biomaterials Lab at Ohio University is used in the study of tissue properties, tissue adaptations to loading, and structure/function interactions. A fume hood and wet lab areas are used to process tissues for histologic, morphologic, and immunohistochemical investigations. In particular, collagen and proteoglycan contents of tissues are prepared for assays, electrophoresis, staining and sectioning, and microscopic comparisons.
A Q-Test 10 from MTS Corporation is used to examine the material properties of tissues in compressive and tensile modes. Programs are utilized for viscoelastic material behavior (specifically creep and stress relaxation) as well as load to failure regimes. A variety of load cells allows for the testing of various size and compositions of structures. This system is also used for educational purposes in the Tissue Mechanics course of the DPT curriculum.
In addition, the lab houses an EMG system for the in vivo collection of muscle signals. Fine wire electrodes are custom-made in the lab. Tissue samples are acquired from animal models, generally the pig. Most experiments are focused on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and its components.
Recently, we have begun to examine tissue adaptation to function through the use of magnetic resonance images (MRI) and plain film radiography. The images have been acquired from patients with TMJ problems. The intent of these studies is to develop new diagnostic and prognostic criteria for the treatment of TMJ dysfunctions.