The role of soft tissues in cranial biomechanics - an investigation using advanced computer modellin

Project Description

Unlike the mammalian skull, where the relatively large brain is enclosed in a shell-like bony capsule, the skulls of reptiles such as lizards, snakes, and dinosaurs form an open framework of bars and openings wrapped and supported by a large quantity of soft tissue. Consequently, the biomechanics of these skulls, and the patterns of stresses and strains they experience, differ from those of mammals. Their study provides an important alternative perspective on skull function and allows us to address questions as to how bone and soft tissues interact. The co-PI's have a long-established and successful cross-disciplinary collaboration, combining internationally recognised expertise in reptile morphology, evolutionary history and phylogeny (Evans), and computer modelling and bone biomechanics of reptiles and mammals (Fagan, Gröning). We are supported at our home institutions by additional expertise in developmental biology, hard tissue biology, histology and imaging, medical engineering and clinical medicine, and by external collaborators including Dr Anthony Herrel (Paris/Antwerp), Dr Marc Jones (Adelaide, Australia), Dr Ulrich Witzel (Bochum, Germany), and clinical collaborators in the Oxford (University Hospitals) Craniofacial Unit. Over the last eight years, mainly with BBSRC (BB/E009204/7465/7813, BB/H011668/1854, BB/E013805/4259, BB/I008462/1) and NERC (NE/G002207/1, NE/K013831/1) funding, we have been investigating skull structure and function in reptiles (turtles, Sphenodon, lizards) and mammals (rodents, primates, pigs, sheep), and the current proposal both builds on, and has developed from, this previous work. To date, our collaboration has resulted in many high profile papers/presentations including: