About this Research Topic
A number of ocular diseases are associated with changes in the biophysical/chemical environment that subsequently regulate cellular function and dictate fate. For example, whereas dry eye is associated with changes in wettability, shear stress, and osmolarity; glaucoma is associated with pressure-related deformations, matrix changes, and strain in various tissues anteriorly and posteriorly. On the other hand, corneal injury is resolved by matrix remodeling. Ocular blood flow, translaminar pressure have also been implicated in ocular diseases. Engineering approaches for disease modeling, diagnostics, or therapeutics are thus imperative and will the focus of this special issue.
In order to begin to understand how biophysical stimuli influence cellular function and disease processes, defining the range of physical forces and stimuli is critical. There is a paucity in our understanding of what physical forces exist and how they influence a number of ocular diseases such as dry eye, AMD, or glaucoma. Notably, there is a lack of literature on the availability of different mathematical, or analytical techniques/models, tools to study diagnostics and/or determine the effects of biophysical stimuli on cells, and subsequent clinical consequences. This is particularly important considering biophysical forces act in concert with the biochemical microenvironment to dictate cell fate, and shape outcomes. Currently, very few clinical diagnostic techniques quantify the forces acting on various ocular tissues and apply this to characterize the disease. Even fewer studies utilize this knowledge while screening drugs for therapeutic outcomes. Thus, the number of drugs that may have been flagged potent but deemed ineffective is likely the same or greater than the number of drugs deemed affected in vitro but with poor clinical translation. To bridge this gap, We welcome Topics that encompass :
• Quantification of biophysical properties of cells, tissues, matrices, and interfacial surfaces.
• Development of diagnostic or therapeutic tools for studying biophysical and biochemical changes in ocular tissue.
• Determining the effect of biophysical stimuli on ocular cell behavior
In order to begin to understand how biophysical stimuli influence cellular function and disease processes, defining the range of physical forces and stimuli is critical. There is a paucity in our understanding of what physical forces exist and how they influence a number of ocular diseases such as dry eye, AMD, or glaucoma. Notably, there is a lack of literature on the availability of different mathematical, or analytical techniques/models, tools to study diagnostics and/or determine the effects of biophysical stimuli on cells, and subsequent clinical consequences. This is particularly important considering biophysical forces act in concert with the biochemical microenvironment to dictate cell fate, and shape outcomes. Currently, very few clinical diagnostic techniques quantify the forces acting on various ocular tissues and apply this to characterize the disease. Even fewer studies utilize this knowledge while screening drugs for therapeutic outcomes. Thus, the number of drugs that may have been flagged potent but deemed ineffective is likely the same or greater than the number of drugs deemed affected in vitro but with poor clinical translation. To bridge this gap, We welcome Topics that encompass :
• Quantification of biophysical properties of cells, tissues, matrices, and interfacial surfaces.
• Development of diagnostic or therapeutic tools for studying biophysical and biochemical changes in ocular tissue.
• Determining the effect of biophysical stimuli on ocular cell behavior
Keywords: Biomechanics, Biophysics, Organ-on-chip, Biomaterials, Extracellular matrix, Mechanotransduction, Interfacial Phenomena
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