The University of Southampton

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Phone:: (023) 8059 3300
Email:: B.G.Sengers@soton.ac.uk

Dr Bram G Sengers MSc, PhD

Associate Professor

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Dr Bram G Sengers is an Associate Professor in Bioengineering within Engineering and the Environment at the University of Southampton.

My research focuses on computational modelling of complex biological problems, such as nutrient transfer in the placenta and how to promote bone and cartilage regeneration

Bram is based in Bioengineering within Engineering Sciences. His research is highly multidisciplinary and carried out in close collaboration with experimental groups in the Faculty of Medicine in Southampton.

Career history

Bram received and MSc (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering from Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands in 2000, developing multi-scale finite element models for studying muscle cell damage. He continued in Eindhoven to obtain a PhD on computational modelling for cartilage tissue engineering in 2005. Moving to Southampton, he joined the Bone and Joint Research Group at the Faculty of Medicine as a postdoctoral research fellow, gaining hands-on expertise in tissue culture working on cell ingrowth for bone repair. In 2009 he was appointment lecturer in the Bioengineering Group within the Faculty of Engineering and the Environment in Southampton.

Research

Publications

Contact

Research interests

Dr Sengers is interested in combining biological experiments with advanced engineering methods to understand better complex biological systems and inform medical treatment.

Specific interests include:

Placental nutrient transport and membrane kinetics (how do nutrients such as amino acids get from the mother to the fetus and how does transport work as an integrated system).
Improving tissue regeneration strategies for bone and cartilage (how can we combine cells with biomaterials to functionally repair damaged tissue);
Cell ingrowth in complex porous biomaterials for tissue repair (how do cells populate porous implants, how do they form new tissue and how to make this strong enough);
Nutrient transport and cellular metabolism in tissue engineered constructs (making sure cells have enough to eat for constructs of clinically relevant size);

Techniques used in his research projects integrate specifically designed placental perfusion and cell culture experiments with computational approaches, custom finite element methods, microscopy, micro CT and image analysis.

Modelling placental transport

Cell growth and cytoskeletal organisation in micro-fabricated pores — Cell growth

Experiments and computer simulation of cell migration on complex 3D structures — Experiments and computer simulation

Microstructural models based on micro-CT — microstructural models

Cells growing and filling pores in trabecular bone structures — Cells growing and filling pores

New tissue formation by bone marrow cells — New tissue formation

Research group

Bioengineering Science

Research project(s)

Feature extraction in clinical data

Data mining techniques commonly used in engineering are being applied to continuously monitored human bio-indicators to predict health state.

Mathematical modelling of fatty acid transport in the human placenta

Articles

Cleal, J. K., Lofthouse, E. M., Sengers, B. G., & Lewis, R. M. (2018). A systems perspective on placental amino acid transport. The Journal of Physiology. DOI: 10.1113/JP274883
Tusan, C. G., Man, Y. H., Zarkoob, H., Johnston, D. A., Andriotis, O. G., Thurner, P. J., ... Evans, N. D. (2018). Collective cell behavior in mechanosensing of substrate thickness. Biophysical Journal, 114(11), 2743-2755. DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2018.03.037
Stirrat, L. I., Sengers, B. G., Norman, J. E., Homer, N. Z. M., Andrew, R., Lewis, R. M., & Reynolds, R. M. (2018). Transfer and metabolism of cortisol by the isolated perfused human placenta. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2(1), 640-648. DOI: 10.1210/jc.2017-02140
Perazzolo, S., Lewis, R., & Sengers, B. (2017). Modelling the effect of intervillous flow on solute transfer based on 3D imaging of the human placental microstructure. Placenta, 60, 21-27. DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.10.003
Palaiologou, E., Goggin, P. M., Chatelet, D., Lofthouse, E., Torrens, C., Sengers, B., ... Lewis, R. (2017). Serial block-face scanning electron microscopy of erythrocytes protruding through the placental syncytiotrophoblast. Journal of Anatomy. DOI: 10.1111/joa.12658
Panitchob, N., Widdows, K. L., Crocker, I. P., Johnstone, E. D., Please, C. P., Sibley, C. P., ... Sengers, B. (2016). Computational modelling of placental amino acid transfer as an integrated system. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Biomembranes, 1-31. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2016.03.028
Sengers, B. G., McGinty, S., Nouri, F. Z., Argungu, M., Hawkins, E., Hadji, A., ... Sepp, A. (2016). Modelling bispecific monoclonal antibody interaction with two cell membrane targets indicates the importance of surface diffusion. mAbs, 1-32. DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2016.1178437
Ching, K., Andriotis, O., Li, S., Basnett, P., Su, B., Roy, I., ... Stolz, M. (2016). Nanofibrous poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate) scaffolds provide a functional microenvironment for cartilage repair. Journal of Biomaterials Applications, 31(1), 77-91. DOI: 10.1177/0885328216639749
Perazzolo, S., Hirschmugl, B., Wadsack, C., Desoye, G., Lewis, R. M., & Sengers, B. G. (2016). The influence of placental metabolism on fatty acid transfer to the fetus. The Journal of Lipid Research, 1-33. DOI: 10.1194/jlr.P072355
Li, S., Sengers, B. G., Oreffo, R. O. C., & Tare, R. S. (2015). Chondrogenic potential of human articular chondrocytes and skeletal stem cells: a comparative study. Journal of Biomaterials Applications, 29(6), 824-836. DOI: 10.1177/0885328214548604
Pantichob, N., Widdows, K. L., Crocker, I. P., Hanson, M. A., Johnstone, E. D., Please, C. P., ... Sengers, B. G. (2015). Computational modelling of amino acid exchange and facilitated transport in placental membrane vesicles. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 365, 352-364. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2014.10.042
Widdows, K. L., Panitchob, N., Crocker, I. P., Please, C. P., Hanson, M. A., Sibley, C. P., ... Glazier, J. D. (2015). Integration of computational modeling with membrane transport studies reveals new insights into amino acid exchange transport mechanisms. The FASEB Journal, 29, 2583-2594. DOI: 10.1096/fj.14-267773
Lofthouse, E. M., Perazzolo, S., Brooks, S., Crocker, I. P., Glazier, J. D., Johnstone, E. D., ... Lewis, R. M. (2015). Phenylalanine transfer across the isolated perfused human placenta: an experimental and modelling investigation. American Journal of Physiology- Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 1-28. DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00405.2015
Li, S., Oreffo, R. O. C., Sengers, B. G., & Tare, R. S. (2014). The effect of oxygen tension on human articular chondrocyte matrix synthesis: integration of experimental and computational approaches. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 111(9), 1876-1885. DOI: 10.1002/bit.25241
Smith, J. O., Sengers, B. G., Aarvold, A., Tayton, E. R., Dunlop, D. G., Oreffo, R. O. C., & sm, N. (2012). Tantalum trabecular metal - addition of human skeletal cells to enhance bone implant interface strength and clinical application. Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. DOI: 10.1002/term.1525
Catt, C. J., Schuurman, W., Sengers, B. G., van Weeren, P. R., Dhert, W. J. A., Please, C. P., & Malda, J. (2011). Mathematical modelling of tissue formation in chondrocyte filter cultures. European Cells & Materials, 22, 377-392.
Sengers, B. G., Dawson, J. I., & Oreffo, R. O. C. (2010). Characterisation of human bone marrow stromal cell heterogeneity for skeletal regeneration strategies using a two-stage colony assay and computational modelling. Bone, 46(2), 496-503. DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2009.10.002
Sengers, B. G., Please, C. P., & Lewis, R. M. (2010). Computational modelling of amino acid transfer interactions in the placenta. Experimental Physiology, 95(7), 829-840. DOI: 10.1113/expphysiol.2010.052902
Shipley, R. J., Jones, G. W., Dyson, R. J., Sengers, B. G., Bailey, C. L., Catt, C. J., ... Malda, J. (2009). Design criteria for a printed tissue engineering construct: A mathematical homogenization approach. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 259(3), 489-502. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2009.03.037
Sengers, B. G., Please, C. P., Taylor, M., & Oreffo, R. O. C. (2009). Experimental–computational evaluation of human bone marrow stromal cell spreading on trabecular bone structures. Annals of Biomedical Engineering, 37(6), 1165-1176. DOI: 10.1007/s10439-009-9676-3
Sengers, B. G., Taylor, M., Please, C. P., & Oreffo, R. O. C. (2007). Computational modelling of cell spreading and tissue regeneration in porous scaffolds. Biomaterials, 28(10), 1926-1940. DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2006.12.008
Sengers, B. G., Please, C. P., & Oreffo, R. O. C. (2007). Experimental characterization and computational modelling of two-dimensional cell spreading for skeletal regeneration. Journal of the Royal Society Interface, 4(17), 1107-1117. DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2007.0233
Brouwers, J. E. M., van Donkelaar, C. C., Sengers, B. G., & Huiskes, R. (2006). Can the growth factors PTHrP, Ihh and VEGF, together regulate the development of a long bone? Journal of Biomechanics, 39(15), 2774-2782. DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2005.10.004
Sengers, B. G., Oomens, C. W. J., Nguyen, T. Q. D., & Bader, D. L. (2006). Computational modeling to predict the temporal regulation of chondrocyte metabolism in response to various dynamic compression regimens. Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology, 5(2-3), 111-122. DOI: 10.1007/s10237-006-0023-4
Sengers, B. G., van Donkelaar, C. C., Oomens, C. W. J., & Baaijens, F. P. T. (2005). Computational study of culture conditions and nutrient supply in cartilage tissue engineering. Biotechnology Progress, 21(4), 1252-1261. DOI: 10.1021/bp0500157
Sengers, B. G., Heywood, H. K., Lee, D. A., Oomens, C. W. J., & Bader, D. L. (2005). Nutrient utilization by bovine articular chondrocytes: a combined experimental and theoretical approach. Journal of Biomechanical Engineering, 127(5), 758-766. DOI: 10.1115/1.1993664
Sengers, B. G., Oomens, C. W., & Baaijens, F. P. (2004). An integrated finite-element approach to mechanics, transport and biosynthesis in tissue engineering. Journal of Biomechanical Engineering, 126(1), 82-91. DOI: 10.1115/1.1645526
Sengers, B. G., Van Donkelaar, C. C., Oomens, C. W. J., & Baaijens, F. P. T. (2004). The local matrix distribution and the functional development of tissue engineered cartilage, a finite element study. Annals of Biomedical Engineering, 32(12), 1718-1727. DOI: 10.1007/s10439-004-7824-3
Breuls, R. G. M., Sengers, B. G., Oomens, C. W. J., Bouten, C. V. C., & Baaijens, F. P. T. (2002). Predicting local cell deformations in engineered tissue constructs: a multilevel finite element approach. Journal of Biomechanical Engineering, 124(2), 198-207. DOI: 10.1115/1.1449492

Book Chapter

Knychala, J., Bouropoulos, N., Catt, C. J., Katsamenis, O. L., Please, C. P., & Sengers, B. G. (2013). Pore geometry regulates early stage human bone marrow cell tissue formation and organisation. In Annals of Biomedical Engineering (pp. 917-930). (Annals of Biomedical Engineering; Vol. 41). DOI: 10.1007/s10439-013-0748-z

Conferences

Perazzolo, S., Lewis, R., & Sengers, B. (2016). Modelling nutrient transfer based on 3D imaging of the human placental microstructure. Paper presented at 38th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society 2016 (EMBC), United States.DOI: 10.1109/EMBC.2016.7592084
Perazzolo, S., Hirschmugl, B., Wadsack, C., Desoye, G., Lewis, R., & Sengers, B. G. (2015). Computational modelling of fatty acid transport in the human placenta. 8054-8057. Paper presented at Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC), 2015 37th Annual International Conference of the IEEE, Italy.DOI: 10.1109/EMBC.2015.7320262
Sengers, B. G., Please, C. P., Taylor, M., & Oreffo, R. O. C. (2009). Experimental-computational evaluation of human bone marrow stromal cell migration on trabecular bone structures. In P. J. Bartolo, P. R. Fernandes, R. B. Ruben, J. Folgado, H. Almeida, N. Alves, & A. Mendes (Eds.), Proceedings of ICTE2009 International Conference on Tissue Engineering (pp. 119-122). (ECCOMAS thematic conference). Lisbon, Portugal: IST Press.

Dr Bram G Sengers
Engineering, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton. SO17 1BJ United Kingdom

Room Number:7/4079

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