Meeting Abstract

25.8  Jan. 5  Building Biomimetic Backbones: Modeling Axial Skeleton Morphospace BANTILAN, K*; COMBIE, K; SCHAEFER, J; PRINGLE, D; LONG, J; KOOB, J; Vassar College; Vassar College; University of California, Irvine; Shriners Hospital; Vassar College; Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory kubantilan@vassar.edu

In order to understand the mechanical design of backbones, we seek to build artificial axial skeletons that mimic the structure and function of biological systems. Recognizing that the chordate axial skeleton ranges in structure, we use hagfish, which bear an adult notochord, and sharks, which have a jointed vertebral column, as our two biological targets. To characterize mechanical properties, we conducted dynamic bending tests, measuring the complex modulus and its constituent loss and storage moduli. To build notochords, we mold gelatin rods and cross-link the denatured collagen to select different values of moduli. The creation of vertebral columns presents special challenges, since the composite of low- and high-modulus elements, namely joints and bones, concentrates stress during bending. To address this, we created two different kinds of vertebral columns, one that bends by differential compression and one that bends by differential tension. These two different patterns of bending strain delimit a mechanically-feasible range of designs for backbones. Supported by the National Science Foundation grant DBI-0442269.