Biomechanics Research Highlights: Year in Review

During the 19-20 academic year, UNO Biomechanics celebrated many notable accomplishments. Completion of the privately-funded $11.6 million expansion of the Biomechanics Research Building more than doubled the size of the original building, bringing the facility to 57,000 square feet and adding critical space for research, machining, prototyping and education. The William and Ruth Scott Family Foundation generously provided the lead donation on the project.

$10.3M COBRE PHASE II FUNDING

In late 2019, Biomechanics received Phase II of the Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) grant mechanism from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), one of the most competitive grant programs in the country. Funds from the $10.3M grant will enable the department to further strengthen its world-class research infrastructure by establishing three new research cores: the Movement Analysis Core, the Nonlinear Analysis Core, and the Machining and Prototyping Core.

• MOVEMENT ANALYSIS CORE // Provide biomechanical testing and support for research within the center and the community.
• NONLINEAR ANALYSIS CORE // Provide analysis of data and education in data interpretation.
• MACHINING AND PROTOTYPING CORE // Provide prototyping, consultation, manufacturing and design services to the center and the community.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

NIH R01 $3M

Dr. Anastasia Desyatova
Development of a new generation of a flexible stent-graft device that could help prevent issues later in life for patients with aortic disease and trauma. Co-PIs/collaborators include: Dr. Alexey Kamenskiy, Dr. Kaspars Maleckis, and Dr. Jason MacTaggart, associate professor in UNMC's Department of Surgery. Read more about the grant >>

NIH R01 $2.6M

Dr. Alexey Kamenskiy
Blockages of arteries in the legs are often treated with metal mesh tubes called stents to keep the arteries propped open. These stents often fail, resulting in the return of symptoms, repeat surgery, or amputation. The study will develop and test an optimally-designed stent that bends and twists with the artery during walking to help arteries stay open longer by improving arterial healing. Dr. Jason MacTaggart is also a study PI.

Figure description: A) The femoropopliteal artery in the lower limb experiences severe deformations during limb flexion, resulting in high stress concentrations in the arterial wall (B). These stresses are further exacerbated by stiff stents (C) that disrupt arterial healing. The development of a more gentle stent that works with the artery, rather than against it, would reduce arterial damage and promote better healing. This development is the goal of our R01 project.

NIH R01 $1.4M

Dr. Jorge Zuniga & Dr. Brian Knarr
This research study seeks to determine how the brain adjusts to the use of a prosthetic limb by studying neural activity in children following regular usage of a 3D-printed prosthetic arm. Read more or watch a KETV news story about the grant.

VA MERIT $1.1M

Dr. Sara Myers
Test whether walking performance and subject preference are improved using newly designed exoskeleton footwear.

NIH R15 $420K

Dr. Nate Hunt
Study how each phase of a step relates to slip severity and how physical responses, like flailing arms or shifting hips, impact efforts to regain balance. Read more or watch a WOWT news story about the grant.

VA SPiRE $200K

Dr. Jenna Yentes
The study will examine differences in respiratory and walking rates of COPD patients to find the right pace and slope that allows patients to extend the amount of time that they exercise, improving respiratory and physical health. UNMC's Dr. Debra Romberger is also a study PI. Read more or watch a KETV news story about the grant.