Uma abordagem de modelagem multiescala para tecidos ósseos partindo da nanoescala

Author(s)

Amadeus Cavalcanti Salvador de Alcântara

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Engenharia Mecânica
• Defense date: 2024-03-08

Examining board members

Munir Salomão Skaf; Marco Lúcio Bittencourt; Vitor Rafael Coluci; Mario Milazzo; Markus Jochen Buehler

• Advisor: Munir Salomão Skaf

Abstract

Bones are complex living biomaterials with a multi-scale structure centered on mineralized collagen fibrils. Mutations and structural changes at its molecular scale can lead to microscopic defects and failures that result in macroscopic fractures. For instance, osteoporosis-induced bone fracture is a major health concern not yet fully understood. The improvement of bone fracture prediction and diagnosis currently requires two critical components: a comprehensive understanding of the mechanical behavior of bones at the nanoscale, and an elucidation of the interrelation and impact of these behaviors on higher lenghtscales. This thesis is structured as a compendium of articles. It starts with a review paper that provides a state-of-the-art framework for advancing patient-specific bone multiscale modelling, fracture simulation and risk analysis. Next, the thesis focus on the nanomechanics of bones. Both the modeling of bone molecular models as well as a thorough investigation of their mechanical properties are presented. Our nanoscale investigations highlight the key role of minerals within the extrafibrillar region of mineralized collagen fibrils in bone nanomechanics, serving as primary load-bearing components. Additionally, this thesis provides a roadmap for devising realistic patient-specific bone fracture simulations which is here presented as a novel approach to the early diagnosis of osteoporosis-induced bone fracture. This approach suggests the combination of macro- and microscopic patient-specific data with atomistic-derived properties for osteoporosis risk analysis. Although not yet fully implemented, the integration presented in this approach represents a significant contribution and novelty in the field, possibly enhancing the precision and comprehensiveness of osteoporosis risk assessment. By shedding light on the intricate interplay between structural components at the nanoscale and with the presented multiscale approach, our work lays the groundwork for more refined and sensitive bone fracture simulations (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/18503-2 - Osteoporosis diagnosis through multiscale modeling of bone fracture using the boundary element method and molecular dynamics
• Grantee: Amadeus Cavalcanti Salvador de Alcântara
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)