Biomechanics
The area of biomechanics is concerned with understanding how mechanical forces interact with biological structures. At the Open University researchers are interested in the biomechanics of the nervous system, particularly with regard to how peripheral nerves bend and stretch to accommodate nerve movement without compromising their function. An understanding of peripheral nerve biomechanics will give an insight into some fundamental anatomy and will be of value to clinicians treating nerve injury and physiotherapists involved in rehabilitation. This is an interdisciplinary collaboration between scientists, engineers and clinicians and uses electron microscopy to investigate the ultrastructure of peripheral nerve tissue and ultrasound imaging technologies to study variations in nerve movement at different anatomical locations in human volunteers. For more information about this project see the research pages of James Phillips and Jamie Harle.
