Hai Yao, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, 1991 Xi'an Jiatong University, China
Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering, 2004 University of Miami
Postdoctorate Biomedical Engineering, 2005 Georgia
Institute of Technology
Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering, 2004 University of Miami
Postdoctorate Biomedical Engineering, 2005 Georgia
Institute of Technology Research Interests
Constitutive Modeling of Biological Tissues
Transport Phenomena in Biological Tissues
Small Animal Imaging
Transport Phenomena in Biological Tissues
Small Animal Imaging
Email:
Office: CRI# 310 (MUSC Campus)
Phone: 843.792.2365
Office: CRI# 310 (MUSC Campus)
Phone: 843.792.2365
Honors, Awards, and Professional Activities
AOSpine North America Young Investigators Research Grant Award (2007)Society Memberships:
American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASMEBiomedical Engineering Society, BMESAmerican Association for Dental Research, AADROrthopaedic Research Society, ORSCurrent Research
Biophysical Modeling of Solute Transport in Disc
Low back pain, a major socio-economic concern in the United States, is strongly associated with intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. Poor nutritional supply is believed to be one of the mechanisms for disc degeneration. The unique composition and structure of the materials and the complexity of the mechano-electrochemical coupling phenomena in IVD tissues contribute to a lack of knowledge of transport properties of IVD or appropriate theoretical models for investigating nutrient transport in IVD systematically. By measuring the transport properties of IVD tissues, our goal is to develop a new realistic mechano-electrochemical theory and finite element model for investigating the transport of fluid and solutes in IVD under various loading conditions
Development of an in-Vitro Disc Degeneration Model System
In-vitro organ/tissue culture models play an important role in clarifying pathomechanism and testing novel interventions. We have developed a novel bioreactor system for long-term disc culture in which the phydicochemical environment within the disc can be well-controlled. Using this model system, we are studying the effects of different nutrient levels and mechanical loading conditions on the disc biology and investigating initiation of disc degeneration using deficient nutrient supply and over mechanical load. This bioreactor system not only can be used to study nutrition and mechanobiology of disc degeneration but also can be used to test new therapeutic strategies.
Imaging Disc Nutrition and Composition
Nutrients supplied by the capillaries have to penetrate the cartilage endplate before reaching the disc matrix. Calcification of the endplate can act as a significant barrier to nutrient transport. Using micro-CT, we are studying the correlation between endplate properties and the rate of nutrient transport. In addition, we are developing new methodologies to visualize the zascular supply to the disc and to quantify tissue composition using novel contrast agents for micro-CT imaging. These imaging methodologies will be validated through a series of in-vitro studies involving controlled manipulation of disc compostion within the above bioreactor system. Ultimately, these approaches will be incorporated into clinically relevant modalities.
Recent Publications
Yao H and Gu WY. Three-dimensional inhomogeneous triphasic finite element analysis of physical signals and solute transport in human intervertebral disc under axial compression. Journal of Biomechanics, 2007 (Epub ahead of print).
Yao H and Gu WY. Convection and diffusion of solute in charged hydrated soft tissues: a mixture theory approach. Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology, vol. 6, 63-72, 2006.
Jackson A, Yao H, Brown MD, and Gu WY. Anisotropic ion diffusivity in intervertebral disc: an electrical conductivity approach. Spine, vol.31, 2783-2789, 2006.
Boyan BD, Wong KL, Wang LP, Yao H, Guldberg RE, Drab M, Jo HJ, and Schwartz Z. Regulation of growth plate chondrocytes by 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 requires caveolae and caveolin-1. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, vol. 21, 1637-1647, 2006.
Yao H and Gu WY. Physical signals and solute transport in human intervertebral disc during compressive stress relaxation: 3D finite element analysis. Biorheology, vol. 43, 325-335, 2006.
