KTH Summer school Computational Tissue Biomechanics Making sense of data

Introduces and applies state-of-the-art tools in the continuum mechanical analysis of biological tissues.

Dates & Fees
  • Cost: 270€ + 190€
  • Ages: 18+
  • Dates: August 17th to 22nd, 2025
  • Location: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Duration: 6 days

Summary

Introduction and Motivation. As biomechanical properties of tissues are tightly linked to pathologies, the description of mechanical tissue properties is instrumental to advance our understanding of disease development and progression. Pathology often manifests through the alteration of tissue mechanical properties long before clinical imaging modalities are able to see any structural or functional changes. Formed by cells embedded in the Extra Cellular Matrix (ECM), biological tissue exhibits intricate microstructural characteristics, factors that then govern its micro-mechanical and macro-mechanical properties. The analysis of how load (stress and strain) transmits across said scales and therefore stimulates cell function, is challenging and requires trustworthy biomechanical models. A plethora of mechanical testing has been reported, and, as no testing standards for biological tissue exist – individual laboratories implement individual protocols. A similar observation characterizes the design of biomechanical computational models. Besides hindering the cross-comparison, low-quality experimental data as well as poor biomechanical models challenge the exploration of biological phenomena. In conclusion, the biomechanical community requires an educational program to develop a solid foundation in the analysis of biological tissues. It is the proper integration of experimental tissue characterization and computational biomechanical analysis that guarantees progress in the field.
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Program Features

  • The course introduces and applies state-of-the-art tools in the continuum mechanical analysis of hard and soft biological tissues
  • Regardless of numerous scientific meetings that report the latest research results, they fail to communicate the basics of tissue biomechanics
  • This course therefore provides attendees with a broad foundation towards the mechanical description of biological tissues, allowing to address individual scientific endeavors more effectively
  • The course is designed for PhD students and postdoctoral researchers with a good background in bioengineering and solid mechanics
  • It integrates physical principles, numerical approaches, and experimental concepts towards the characterization of biological tissues. The program’s holistic approach is unique in the analysis of biological tissues

What's Included?

  • Lectures
  • Hands-on laboratory
  • Ask the expert sessions
  • State-of-the-art tools
  • Social Program

More Information

  • Academics
  • Extracurriculars

Academics

Faculty

  • Artem Kulachenko, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
  • David Marlevi, Karolinska Institute, Sweden
  • Gerard A. Ateshian, Columbia University, US
  • Hanna Isaksson, Lund University, Sweden
  • Marco Viceconti, University of Bologna, Italy
  • Svein Kleiven, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
  • T. Christian Gasser, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
  • Vikram S. Deshpande, Cambridge University, UK

Laboratory Instructors
Marta Alloisio, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
Andrii Grytsan, COMSOL, Stockholm, Sweden

Lectures (24 hours)

  • Continuum biomechanics and FEM (Gasser)
  • Conservation laws (Deshpande)
  • Constitutive modelling (Ateshian)
  • Data exploration (Kulachenko)
  • Clinical imaging modalities (Marlevi)
  • Bone tissue (Viceconti)
  • Ligament/tendon/articular cartilage (Isaksson)
  • Cardiovascular tissue (Gasser)
  • Brain (Kleiven)

Ask the experts sessions (7 hours)

Hands-on laboratory (8 hours; in groups of at most 12 students)
In-vitro experimental tissue characterization including DIC measurements
Linear and non-linear FEM modelling

Extracurriculars

Social program

  • Boat tour through Stockholm archipelago (August 17th)
  • Guided tour through the Nobel Prize Museum
  • Guided tour through KTH main campus or Karolinska University Hospital
  • Dinner (August 21st)
  • Pub night (August 22nd)

Program Campuses

KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Key Information
Dates & Fees
  • Cost: 270€ + 190€
  • Ages: 18+
  • Dates: August 17th to 22nd, 2025
  • Location: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Duration: 6 days

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