Spine Biomechanics: in vivo in vitro in silico

The aim of this project is to develop and expand a community of spine biomechanics research groups at the University of Bath, Exeter and Cardiff through the completion of a small-scale collaborative research project. Spine biomechanics is an inherently multidisciplinary field. The development of this collaborative community will draw on the strengths of each institution’s research group including computational modelling, imaging and experimental biomechanics, and a network of clinical expertise, to address this complex field, enriching the quality of spine research in the wider GW4 community. By combining knowledge, data, facilities and networks, we can build a community with the potential to further advances in understanding spine biomechanics, maximising the impact of future research. Through this project using Bath’s material models, Exeter’s in vitro test facilities and Cardiff’s in vivo test and imaging facilities, we will produce a set of pilot data that can be used for investigating spinal forces in patient populations. Further, we will create a collaborative research group with a unique set of resources and expertise. This will position us strategically, with a strong foundation for future research funding.