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Fully-funded MSc opportunity in biomechanics/biomaterials
Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, Canada
Start date: September 2013
Project: Investigation of nano- and molecular-scale mechanisms of strain-energy dissipation operating within collagen fibrils
Background:
Collagen fibrils are the primary tensile elements of ligaments, tendons, and bones. Mechanical overloading of collagenous structures is common. For example, nearly everyone can remember spraining an ankle. Yet, how collagen fibrils are actually damaged by overload is only now beginning to be defined.
Recently we have discovered a new mode of collagen fibril damage that occurs in response to tensile overload. This mode of damage, called discrete plasticity, involves structural alterations to collagen at the molecular level, which occur in a very systematic manner. We believe that this mode of damage may be an important toughening mechanism within collagen, allowing, for example, a minor ligament sprain rather than catastrophic rupture.
As the chosen candidate, your thesis project would involve conducting physical tissue testing and subsequent structural analyses in order to help determine if discrete plasticity does indeed contribute to collagen toughness.
Interested persons:
Please send the following items to sam.veres@smu.ca
(i) Your CV (please include citizenship in your personal details)
(ii) A copy of your undergraduate transcript(s)
(iii) A one page statement outlining why you are interested in undertaking this project, and why you are a suitable candidate for the position.
I look forward to receiving your application. For additional information, visit: http://myweb.dal.ca/sveres/research.html
Dr. Samuel Veres
Assistant Professor
Division of Engineering,
Saint Mary’s University
Halifax, Canada
Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, Canada
Start date: September 2013
Project: Investigation of nano- and molecular-scale mechanisms of strain-energy dissipation operating within collagen fibrils
Background:
Collagen fibrils are the primary tensile elements of ligaments, tendons, and bones. Mechanical overloading of collagenous structures is common. For example, nearly everyone can remember spraining an ankle. Yet, how collagen fibrils are actually damaged by overload is only now beginning to be defined.
Recently we have discovered a new mode of collagen fibril damage that occurs in response to tensile overload. This mode of damage, called discrete plasticity, involves structural alterations to collagen at the molecular level, which occur in a very systematic manner. We believe that this mode of damage may be an important toughening mechanism within collagen, allowing, for example, a minor ligament sprain rather than catastrophic rupture.
As the chosen candidate, your thesis project would involve conducting physical tissue testing and subsequent structural analyses in order to help determine if discrete plasticity does indeed contribute to collagen toughness.
Interested persons:
Please send the following items to sam.veres@smu.ca
(i) Your CV (please include citizenship in your personal details)
(ii) A copy of your undergraduate transcript(s)
(iii) A one page statement outlining why you are interested in undertaking this project, and why you are a suitable candidate for the position.
I look forward to receiving your application. For additional information, visit: http://myweb.dal.ca/sveres/research.html
Dr. Samuel Veres
Assistant Professor
Division of Engineering,
Saint Mary’s University
Halifax, Canada