Date of Award

5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biomedical Engineering and Sciences

First Advisor

Pengfei Dong

Second Advisor

Xiang He

Third Advisor

James Brenner

Fourth Advisor

Thibbotuwawa Gamage Peshala

Abstract

The exposure to ionizing radiation can negatively impact bone health by inhibiting the functionality of the bone vasculature and affecting the ability of osteoblasts to synthesize new bone tissue, resulting in increased activity of osteoclasts that leads to an accelerated rate of bone resorption and microarchitectural degeneration of bones. All these changes culminate in bone loss and decreased bone quality.

This study aims to determine regional differences in bone microarchitecture and mechanics in the mouse tibia exposed to irradiation. High-resolution micro-CT analysis was used to quantify changes in bone microstructure, and nanoindentation measurements enabled the assessment of mechanical properties such as hardness and reduced modulus. Nanoindentation was conducted for multiple anatomical regions to address the heterogeneity.

Bone morphology and sample preparation were done via micro-CT. After micro-CT scan, the samples were placed into epoxy, embedded and cut to form cortical bone slices and cancellous bone slices. Next, a nanoindentation was used to test mechanical properties in specific anatomical regions. Finally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine micro- and nanostructural characteristics.

Such combined approach allows one to explore irradiation-induced alterations in bone microstructure and mechanics.

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