RESEARCH TOOLS

Modelling and simulation are now considered the third pillar of the scientific method. Mathematical modelling in Biology is especially complex due to the many physical coupled fields involved (cell response, Mechanics, Chemistry, electrical fields, mass and energy transport, …). In addition, the underlying structures are organized in several spatial scales (molecular, cell, tissue and organ), each influencing on the rest. Finally, there are many processes that are yet unknown and many parameters undetermined. Despite this strong complexity, mathematical models allow quantify essential variables in relation to other parameters to check assumptions, to design new experiments, to open new lines of thinking and to better understand the underlying biophysical bases.

• Analyisis of the physiological and pathological functional behavior of biological living tissues and systems such as articular joints, as well as their short and long-term functional changes after implantation of a prosthesis or after a particular surgery. Although we are mainly interested in the mechanical behavior of structural tissues and organs like in the musculoskeletal systems, we have also analyzed other problems like the optical performance of the eye, heart electrophysiology or the fluid-structural interaction in the trachea during respiration or cough.
• Mechanobiology and cell biophysics: Mechanical stimuli are present in most physiological and pathological processes. However, the effects caused by mechanical stimuli on biological processes have been mostly missed until very recently. Complex processes like proliferation, differentiation or extracellular matrix formation are partially controlled or influenced by mechanical stimuli. In this line, we try to understand the effects of the mechanical environment (substrate stiffness, 3D structure, anisotropy, etc.) and stimuli (direct strain application, fluid perfusion, shear stresses, …) onto the cell behavior.
• Regenerative Medicine/Tissue Engineering: Replacement of biological functions and/or organs by applying mechanical stimuli. In this direction, we have several approaches, including design of bioreactors, mechanical characterization of tissues and scaffolds for Tissue Engineering optimization of mechanical stimuli to scaffolds or matrices to generate new tissues mimicking the properties of the tissue to be replaced.
• Simulation of in Organ-on-Chip devices. Using the tools described above, we try to establish model to better understand the response and functional performance of the cells to changes in the surrounding microenvironment and external stimuli, including drugs. We have applied these models to analyze the main stages of glioblastoma evolution, as well as cell adaptation to those changes.

Finally, we also use Big Data and Artificial Intelligence tools like Model Reduction Methods, Neural Networks or Machine Learning and a full set of statistical tools to design decision-support systems in Medicine. In particular, we are interested in hybrid non-structured fata systems, like combination of medical images, digital pathology and real-world data to help in the diagnosis and prognosis of pathologies like lung cancer, prostate cancer or spine diseases.