Integration of computational and experimental methods in the study of cartilage mechanobiology

A fluid-induced shear is known to enhance chondrogenesis on animal cells. We have developed a computational fluid dynamic model of the flow through chondrocyte seeded scaffolds cultured inside a novel bioreactor in which the culture medium flows through the constructs' microstructure. The median shear stress imposed to the cells in the bioreactor culture, as predicted by the CFD model, is 3/spl middot/10/sup -3/ Pa at a flow rate of 0.5 ml/min corresponding to an inlet fluid velocity of 4.42/spl middot/10/sup -5/ m/s. Providing a fluid-dynamic environment to the cells yielded significant differences in cell morphology.