Research Institute for Applied Mechanics, Kyushu UniversityRenewable Energy Center Energy Conversion Engineering Section,
Biomechanics and Biomaterials Lab

お問い合わせ
Dr. Mitsugu Todo, Associate Professor Research Institute for Applied Mechanics, Kyushu Univresity 6-1 Kasuga-koen, Kasuga, Fukuoka 816-8580, Japan

TEL: +81-92-583-7762

Mail:
todo[a]riam.kyushu-u.ac.jp

MEMBER

Dr. Mitsugu TODO, Associate Professor, Ph.D. (The Ohio State University)

Research interests:

  • 1) Theoretical and computational biomechanics of bone and heart tissues
  • 2) Composite biomaterials for bone and cardiovascular tissue engineering
  • 3) Biomimetic electric devices

RESEARCH TOPICS

Development of Biodevice Using iPS Cells Derived Cardiomyocytes

 In myocardial tissues, chemical energy stored in ATP is transformed into mechanical energy which activates sarcomeres. These microscopic sarcomeres motions are then transformed into the mechanical energy which activates the contraction of heart. Thus, myocardial tissue is recognized as a unique biological energy conversion system. In this project, we are trying to develop a biodevice which exhibits pulsation behavior autonomously by using iPS cells derived cardiomyocytes and biopolymer scaffold.

iPS cardiomyocyte sheet
Pulsation behavior of cardiomyocyte sheet

Development of Hydrogel Electric Cell Imitating Electroplax Cells

 Schroeder, et al., published a paper in Nature in 2017, explaining the basic concept of hydrogel electric cell imitating electroplax cells of electric eel. In this project, we are trying to improve the fundamental functions of the hydrogel electric cell and develop some engineering applications.

Trial production of hydrogel electric cell

Biomechanical Analysis of Bone Using Clinical CT Images

 Osteoporosis has been one of the most important issues in Japan which has already reached an aging society. It is well known that bones become very weak with low strength and toughness due to osteoporosis. Elderly people with osteoporosis may have bone fracture quite easily. On the other hand, elderly people also tend to have osteoarthritis with their knee or hip joints, and for the worst cases, their knee or hip joints must be replaced by artificial joints consisting of metal, ceramic and polymer components. The difference of modulus between such metal component and bone may cause the stress-shielding effect and results in bone absorption, which also results in reduction of bone strength and toughness. In this research projects, we are trying to analyze different types of biomechanical problems related to bone diseases by using the finite element method with CT-image based modeling technology. Clinical CT-images are used to develop three-dimensional bone and joint models with consideration of distribution of bone mineral density. This kind of research projects has been conducted as joint works with orthopedic doctors from university hospitals.

3D-hip joint model
Spine model with vertebra compression fracture
Hip joint model with THA
Bone fracture simulation after THA

Development of Inorganic/Organic Biocomposite Materials for Tissue Engineering Applications

 Tissue engineering is playing a central role in regenerative medicine. One of the main topics in tissue engineering is development of artificial tissues using cells and biomaterials. Many different kinds of biomaterials such as biopolymers and bioceramics have been used to develop scaffolds which are supposed to work as artificial extra-cellular matrices. In general, continuous porous structures are utilized for scaffolds because cells are proliferated, differentiated and generate natural ECM inside the porous structures. In this research project, porous cylindrical structures have been developed using biodegradable and natural biopolymers for cardiovascular tissue engineering. Porous bioceramic/biopolymer composite scaffolds have also been developed for bone tissue engineering. It has been shown that the introduction of porous polymeric phase into porous structure of bioceramics such as sintered hydroxyapatite greatly improves the brittle nature of pure bioceramic scaffolds.

Porous cylindrical scaffolds made from biodegradable polymers
Porous bone scaffolds made from hydroxyapatite and polymer
Regeneration of bone and cartilage using mesenchymal stem cells

CONTACT

Dr. Mitsugu Todo, Associate Professor
Research Institute for Applied Mechanics, Kyushu Univresity
6-1 Kasuga-koen, Kasuga, Fukuoka 816-8580, Japan
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