After successful completion of the course, students are able to understand the mechanics of different cellular processes ranging from cell division to cell differentiation and death and to propose mechanical models for a number of applications related to human physiology and disease, from cells to tissues.

1. General presentation of cells: history of cell concept in biology, functional biology, roles of the cell (exchanges, genetics, "ordered" organ constitution), cell composition, main types of cellular structures...

2-3. Cellular biomechanics, experimental aspects: means of imaging and observation (confocal microscopy, AFM microscopy), mechanical test means (indentation, tensile tests, rotational magnetocymetry, microplate testing). Interest in the characterization of cell adhesion.

4-5. Cellular biomechanics, modelling aspects: viscoelasticity, active behaviour, mechanotransduction. Models of cellular structure: membrane models, tensegrity models...

6-7. Growth and remodeling in soft tissues: Important experimental and clinical observations, including tensional homeostasis, pathologies (aneurysms, tortuosity, etc.), and observations from comparative biology and animal models;

8. Micromechanical and molecular foundations of mechanobiology (mechanotransduction, signaling, etc.)

9-11. Major mathematical approaches to model growth and remodeling in soft tissues, including the kinematic growth theory, constrained mixture models, hybrid approaches, open system thermodynamics, and computational implementations;

12-13. Numerical implementation of growth and remodelling, application to the growth of aneurysms in arteries, tutorials in FEBio

14-15. Thermodynamics of the cell. Exchange of ionic and organic species. Laws of diffusion (Fick's law) and thermodynamics. Diffusion through the cell wall, membrane exchanges. Influence of osmotic pressure. Action of physiological saline.

Direct teaching and tutorials to introduce and practice theoretical aspects

Reading and commenting scientific papers

Introduction to using a finite-element software dedicated to mechanobiology of soft-tissues

Owing to the covid-19 situation, the university has decided that all courses which can be taught online should be taught in that way.

The 202.672_course will be held every Friday morning from 9.00 (some exceptions may occur but they will be notified in advance).

It will be taught on zoom at: https://tuwien.zoom.us/j/9778307194

A brief meeting will be organized online on Friday 5th March at 9.00.

The first lecture will be on Friday 12th March at 9.00.

With reference to the COVID-19 University and Higher Education Ordinance of the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research, the Institute for Mechanics of Materials and structures of the Vienna University of Technology with effect from April 29, 2020 COVID-19 distance examination regulations come into force. Until further notice, they replace the previously valid attendance examination regulations.

Method when switching to online format:
Prof. Avril will post the slides (in pdf) of the next lecture 1 week in advance on TUWEL, along with a list of problems on which they will work during the course. On the day of the course,he will give the lecture on zoom during approximately 1h and 1h30. A video will be registered and posted online on TUWEL. After the course Prof. Avril will leave between 30min and 1h30 to discussions/questions and the student will start working on their own on the problems. He will split the class in small groups on zoom to have discussions with each student or group of student and help them to solve the problems. Eventually, during the last 1h – 1h30, he will explain the solution to each problem in a lecture mode. Prof. Avril will register a video and will post the video + the solution of problems on TUWEL. Some sessions will be left for the students to work on their own on a project that will be assigned for the final assessment. He will meet the students on zoom to answer their questions when they are working on the project.

Exam mode when switching to online format:
Prof. Avril will assign 2 projects to each student, one in the middle of the semester and one at the end of the semester. They will have 2 weeks to achieve the project and submit a report individually. 

Assessment scheme for the online exam:
The work of each student on each of the 2 projects will be assessed and scored.

Required technical equipment for participation in the course and examination:
Computer with internet access to follow the class on zoom.

Matlab software installed on the computer.

Creation of a software application

Mathematics: linear algebra, matrices

Continuum solid mechanics: stress, strains, linear elasticity, equilibrium equations

Basics of fluid mechanics: navier-stokes equations

Basic background in biology