Dr Claire Villette

 

Research Overview

Bioengineering

Bone metastasis, Computational models, In vitro models, Mechanobiology, Biomechanics

Interests

In the B-MECA lab, we develop computational and tissue engineered models of human bone to decipher the interactions between mechanics and biology in healthy and cancerous bone tissue. We focus on four core areas:

1- Computational modelling of bone cancer

We develop agent-based models capturing the cellular cross-talk between cancer cells and bone-resident cells in the context of bone metastasis and osteosarcoma. A specific focus is placed on cancer interactions with inherent and load-induced bone remodelling processes. 

2- In vitro cancerous bone models

We use tissue engineering techniques to develop multicellular in vitro human disease models. We combine bone cells (osteoblasts, osteoclasts, osteocytes) with cancer cells and immune cells (such as macrophages) on 3D scaffolds and microfluidic chips.  

3- Bone scaffold digital design optimisation

We merge digital design techniques with load-modulated bone tissue growth modelling to optimise the structure of tissue-engineering scaffolds. These scaffolds are intended as implants or in-vitro carriers. Our digital design optimisation procedures are used by the wider community via our free GUI-based plugin.

4- Predictive modelling of structural bone adaptation

We predict internal bone structure adaptation under mechanical loading using combinations of musculoskeletal, data-driven, and  finite element modelling. This multiscale work investigates bone tissue from full long human bones at a mesoscale down to fluid velocity in the lacuno-canalicular pores of a single microscale trabeculae.