Research Overview

The research in Dr. Zhou's Lab seeks to uncover the mechanobiological principles that govern the development, adaptation, disease, and regeneration of hierarchical musculoskeletal tissues. By integrating biomechanics, mechanobiology, computational modeling, artificial intelligence, digital twin technologies, and orthopaedic surgery, the lab develops predictive frameworks to advance precision medicine for musculoskeletal disorders. Current research focuses on four interconnected areas:

• Investigate multiscale biomechanics and mechanobiology of mineralized tissues to determine how mechanical cues regulate extracellular matrix organization, mineralization, tissue adaptation, and regeneration across hierarchical length scales.

• Study mechanobiological mechanisms underlying musculoskeletal diseases and regeneration, including osteogenesis imperfecta, bone regeneration, and craniofacial and skeletal tissue development.

• Develop computational models, digital twins, and physics-informed neural networks that integrate experimental, imaging, and clinical data to predict tissue development, disease progression, regeneration, and patient-specific treatment outcomes.

• Design and optimize patient-specific orthopaedic interventions by combining computational biomechanics, advanced imaging, and data-driven approaches to improve surgical planning, implant design, and precision medicine.