Occlusions and failure of the blood microcirculation

We wish to study the failure of the microvascular network (vessels less than 200 microns in diameter) when blood clogging events, such as those observed in malaria or sickle cell anaemia, occur in single vessels. We propose a combination of computational models and microfluidic experiments, based on concepts of soft matter physics, to elucidate 1) how clogging events initiate, and 2) the dynamics of their subsequent propagation throughout the entire microcirculation.
The specific objectives of the project are:
- Understand blood clogging in a vessel of size comparable to blood constituents;
- Describe the propagation of occlusions in microvascular networks;
- Elucidate the role of organ-dependent angioarchitecture in microvascular failure.
The methods are:
- Microfluidics experiments with colloidal dispersions and blood;
- Physical and statistical models of blood flow;
- Simple computational models of transport networks.
The expected outcomes are:
- Predictive physical model for microvascular failure dynamics (time, severity...)
- Personalised microfluidic device for diagnostic and monitoring of vasoocclusive crises
- Targeted strategies for the prevention and cure of vasoocclusive crises
The potential impact is to improve diagnostics, target treatment and offer drug testing platform for diseases with pathological haemostasis: malaria, sickle cell anaemia, diabetes, leukaemia...
The project is thus deeply embedded into several EPSRC research areas. In particular, it aligns with the "Microsystems" applications (which EPSRC looks to grow) for "Clinical Technologies". More fundamentally, the project will also contribute to research in "Biophysics and Soft matter physics", as well as "Complex fluids and rheology".