Dr Monique Tourell - Atomistic simulations for modelling restricted translational and rotational dynamics of water molecules in articular cartilage

Articular cartilage is an avascular connective tissue that lines the surface of joints, and is characterised by a composition and microstructure that varies with distance from the bone surface. Magnetic Resonance Imaging can be used to interrogate this complex organisation, and is sensitive to changes that occur as a result of biomechanical stress and degeneration. In order to map articular cartilage composition and microstructure to quantitative MR parameters, including proton relaxation rates and diffusion-related parameters, an understanding of the tissue-water interactions that influence the MR signal is essential. This talk will discuss the role of atomistic simulations, from Monte-Carlo to full Molecular Dynamics, in understanding the restricted molecular motions of water in articular cartilage. The work presented focuses on water-collagen interactions that result in anisotropic transverse relaxation and diffusion in articular cartilage, both of which can be used to infer the collagen matrix microarchitecture. The talk will also include a broader discussion of anomalous relaxation and diffusion in articular cartilage.

Dr Monique Tourell is a postdoctoral research fellow with the ARC Training Centre in Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology (CIBIT) at the Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland. Monique has experience in fundamental MR research and pre-clinical MRI of porous materials, including collagen-rich connective tissues, breast tissue, tumors, and hydrogels and scaffolds for tissue engineering. She also has experience in the writing and developing atomistic computer simulations for the analysis of restricted molecular motions relevant to MR measurements. Monique is working with CIBIT industry partner Siemens to improve PET-CT and MR image reconstruction speed and accuracy; particularly for under-sampled MR acquisition techniques, which offer improved scan times in the clinic.