Project Description
The purpose of this project is to evaluate bones from humans and mice with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), where hyperglycemia and accumulation of increased collagen cross-links embrittle bone material. Humans with T1DM have a significantly elevated risk of bone fracture. This study will involve performing mechanical testing of bones and quantitatively analyzing bone structural organization from mice that either naturally develop T1DM or that develop hyperglycemia. This project will involve analyzing micro-computed tomography images of mouse bones to quantitatively evaluate bone structure and porosity. We will use techniques including Raman spectroscopy to evaluate for bone material chemistry. We will correlate structural and biochemical measures to bone stiffness and strength measures from mechanical testing tests and to blood glucose levels. The student will be expected to prepare a scientific presentation and draft a conference abstract that will be submitted to the annual Anschutz Medical Campus D'Ambrosia musculoskeletal research conference.听 听
Special Requirements
Students need to have completed Statics and Mechanics of Solids courses (MCEN 2023, 2063) or equivalent. Students must be comfortable programming in Python or Matlab.听
Contact
- Virginia Ferguson (faculty)