Mission Statement of the
Laboratory of Bone Biomechanics

The overall objective of the laboratory for bone biomechanics is to study the phenotypic biology of bone as a material. We are therefore interested in particular in the detailed structure of various bones and in their mechanical properties.

Bone, like most biological tissues, has a complex hierarchical structure, with different architectural motifs at different length scales. In its most fundamental concept it is a composite material, combining stiffness-providing hydroxyapatite crystals with a compliant collagenous matrix. Nevertheless, the variety of bone compositional and architectural arrangements is vast, resulting in a huge array of bone types.

Understanding the relationship between the mechanical behavior of whole bones, their materials properties and their structure, is a formidable challenge. This challenge is further enhanced since the material itself is complex and hierarchical, anisotropic and inhomogeneous. It is for these reasons that it is still beyond the state of-the-art to predict and fully understand the mechanical functions of whole biological entities such as bones and teeth.

In order to elucidate the structure-function relationships of various bones we are employing state-of-the-art methods of structural studies and mechanical testing methods. Data of this kind create the exciting possibility of relating the complex distribution of mechanical properties of loaded biological materials such as bone and teeth and their microstructures to deformations and strains. Such studies could improve our understanding of the basic phenotypic biology of bone, physiological processes such as skeletal development or aging, as well as disease processes which affect bone such as osteoporosis and chronic kidney disease. They also provide opportunities for engineers designing bio-inspired materials to study the principles, advantages and characteristics of the behavior of hierarchical and multifunctional materials.

staff
Prof. Ron Shahar

Prof. Ron Shahar, DVM, PHD, Dip ECVS

Head of laboratory

Koret School of Veterinary Medicine
3rd floor, room 308
e-mail: ron.shahar1@mail.huji.ac.il

Dr. Anna Shipov

Dr. Anna Shipov, DVM, Dip ECVS

Head department of small animal surgery
Veterinary teaching hospital
Koret School of Veterinary Medicine
3rd floor
e-mail: anna.shipov@mail.huji.ac.il

Ayelet Atkins

Ayelet Atkins

Koret School of Veterinary Medicine
3rd floor, room 308
e-mail: ayelet.atkins@mail.huji.ac.il
Lior Ofer, DVM, PhD

Lior Ofer, DVM, PhD

Koret School of Veterinary Medicine
3rd floor, room 308
e-mail: liorbentovim@gmail.com

Dr. Roni Yair

Dr. Roni Yair

Department of animal science
3rd floor
e-mail: roni.yair@mail.huji.ac.il

Efrat Ziv;

Efrat Ziv

Koret School of Veterinary Medicine
3rd floor, room 308
e-mail: efrat.ziv@mail.huji.ac.il

Noga Kalish

Noga Kalish

Koret School of Veterinary Medicine
3rd floor, room 308
e-mail: noga.kalish@mail.huji.ac.il

 

Dr Natali Reznikov, DDS

Weizmann Institute of Science
e-mail: naoree@gmail.com

 

Dr Gili Naveh, DDS

Weizmann Institute of Science
e-mail: Gili.Naveh@weizmann.ac.il

 

Dr Meir M. Barak

Harvard University
e-mail: mbarak@fas.harvard.edu

 

Dr Amnon Sharir

School of Dentistry
University of California – San Francisco
e-mail: amnon.sharir@gmail.com