Finite element modeling of plasma membrane injury from mechanical Stress: a combined finite element and machine learning approach

Author

Eric Flynn Mabowitz, Mississippi State UniversityFollow

Advisor

Miralami, Raheleh

Committee Member

Bakhtiarydavijani, Amirhamed

Committee Member

Hendrix, LaShan

Committee Member

Ross, Matthew

Committee Member

Elder, Steve

Date of Degree

8-7-2025

Original embargo terms

Embargo 1 year

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

Major

Biomedical Engineering

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

James Worth Bagley College of Engineering

Department

Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering

Abstract

Low back pain is a leading cause of disability across a wide range of occupations and environments. Exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) has been linked to an increased prevalence of low back pain, as well as certain neurophysiological complications. While current understanding of WBV effects is largely based on tissue- and whole-body-level studies, a significant gap remains in knowledge regarding how vibrational forces propagate through individual cells. This knowledge gap limits a comprehensive understanding of how these forces affect the human body at the microscopic level. To address this, the present study employs both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) models, developed in conjunction with in vitro cellular experimentation, to visualize the mechanical effects of vibrational forces on cell membranes. Alongside these models, a proof-of-concept machine learning framework is introduced to predict membrane injury resulting from vibrational exposure. The in vitro experiments not only inform the design and validation of the FE models but also help identify potentially harmful vibration parameters. Results indicate that low-frequency, high-magnitude vibrational conditions significantly reduce cell viability, as determined by XTT metabolic activity and Trypan Blue exclusion assays. Analysis of both the 2D and 3D models identified regions of elevated membrane deformation, which were then compared to literature-based injury thresholds to assess the likelihood of membrane rupture under these conditions.

Recommended Citation

Mabowitz, Eric Flynn, "Finite element modeling of plasma membrane injury from mechanical Stress: a combined finite element and machine learning approach" (2025). Theses and Dissertations. 6662.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/6662