ResearchHealth and Medicine
An understanding of mechanisms underlying human pathophysiology requires knowledge of biochemical and biomechanical function of organs. However, use of biomechanics has not advanced on par with biochemistry or even imaging techniques like MRI and X-rays. At Northwestern we want to change that. The aim is to shift the existing paradigm of studying disease pathogenesis of organs toward a biomechanics-based approach that harnesses information about how mechanical properties of organs alter physiology. We aspire to create new phenotypic classifications and diagnostic platforms with a focus on quantitative mechanics-based physiomarkers. Our focus is on esophageal disorders, aortic aneurysms, and deep lungs, with future extension to other organs. As a part of this effort we host the Biophysiological Modeling Core funded by NIH.
The faculty below research the health and medicine area of fluid dynamics.
Organ Physiology
Neelesh Patankar
Professor of Mechanical Engineering and (by courtesy) Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics